Jammu Kashmir 2025 Holiday List Sparks Row As It Excludes Sheikh Abdullah's Birth Anniversary
A political controversy in Jammu and Kashmir has arisen due to the exclusion of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah's birth anniversary from the 2025 holiday list.
A political row has erupted in Jammu and Kashmir over the exclusion of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah's birth anniversary from the 2025 holiday list. Known as Sher-i-Kashmir, the National Conference Founder's birth anniversary falls on December 5.
The birth anniversary of the towering figure in the politics of Kashmir was previously observed as a public holiday but was abolished after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
The National Conference has slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party-led administration for the commission and accused it of disrespecting Kashmir's history. "This reflects the BJP's disregard for the region’s legacy," said a National Conference spokesperson.
"While we had hoped for the inclusion of holidays commemorating leaders like Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and the martyrs of July 13, their absence does not diminish their significance or our legacy," said NC spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq. "These holidays will be restored one day," he added.
The party said it had earlier sent a proposal to the Lieutenant Governor's administration to restore the public holiday on account of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah's birth anniversary.
The development comes after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah earlier this month hinted that holidays removed after the abrogation of Article 370 will be restored.
The NC had promised to restore the gazetted holiday on July 13 "Martyr's Day" in its poll manifesto.
In 2020, two gazetted holidays were added by the LG administration including Maharaja Hari Singh’s birthday on September 23 and the landing of the Indian army in J&K on October 26, 1947. Both days are observed as Accession Day and have been retained in the 2025 list, issued by the General Administration Department.
Meanwhile, the former Mayor of Srinagar Junaid Azam Mattu took a dig at the NC government on social media. In a post on X, Mattu mocked the party's "failure" to deliver on its promises, including the restoration of the July 13 Martyrs’ Day holiday.
“Didn’t NC promise the restoration of these holidays? Or are they too busy with new wardrobes and cars to address these issues?” Mattu tweeted.
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