Sheikh Abdullah’s birth anniv not on holiday list, NC fumes

The ruling National Conference in Jammu and Kashmir has expressed disappointment over the Lieutenant Governor’s decision to not include days commemorating 1931 martyrs and birth anniversary of party founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah in the list of holidays for 2025.

Following the abrogation of J&K’s special status in 2019, the administration had scrapped two public holidays: December 5—Sheikh Abdullah’s birth anniversary, and July 13—which commemorated the 23 men who fell to the bullets of Dogra Maharaja’s soldiers in 1931.

After formation of the NC government, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary and CM’s Adviser Nasir Aslam Wani were hopeful that these holidays would be reinstated.

However, as the official list of holidays for 2025 was released by the J&K General Administration Department, the two holidays didn’t find any mention.

National Conference chief spokesperson and Zadibal MLA Tanvir Sadiq said that the decision reflects “BJP’s disregard for Kashmir’s history and democratic struggle.”

“While we had hoped for the inclusion of holidays commemorating leaders like Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and the martyrs of July 13th, their absence does not diminish their significance or our legacy. These holidays will be restored one day,” he wrote on X.

CPM leader and Kulgam MLA MY Tarigami too criticised L-G Sinha for excluding the holidays. “It is very unfortunate that July 13 and December 5 have been dropped from the list of holidays for the 2025 calendar year. July 13 holds immense historical significance for J&K, as it commemorates the sacrifice of those who laid down their lives protesting against autocratic rule and advocating for human dignity,” he said.

He said December 5 is a day of great importance. “Sheikh Sahab and his colleagues made great contributions toward empowering people by democratizing society, implementing radical land reform,” Tarigami said. “Attempts made to erase such pivotal milestones from our collective memory undermines the values they represent. Distorting the history in this way will serve no purpose,” he added.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, was quick to appreciate the decision. “The firm stand taken by the L-G and ignoring the parochial demand is really praiseworthy,” said party spokesperson Anil Gupta, adding, “Both the holidays were mired in controversy and were thrust upon the people of the other two regions of the erstwhile state by the National Conference.”

“It is high time that NC shuns the politics of exclusivity and embraces inclusivity by giving equal respect and status to the Dogra heritage and sentiments,” said Gupta.