SRINAGAR, Dec 30: The National Conference, which currently holds power in Jammu and Kashmir, has voiced its disappointment regarding the lieutenant governor’s decision to exclude holidays that honor the martyrs of 1931 and the party’s founder, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah.
“The current list of holidays reflects the BJP’s indifference towards Kashmir’s historical narrative and its democratic movement,” stated National Conference (NC) chief spokesman Tanvir Sadiq in a post on X late Sunday.
Earlier this month, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had indicated that holidays eliminated after the abrogation of Article 370 would be reinstated.
“While we had anticipated the addition of holidays honoring leaders such as Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and the martyrs of July 13th, their absence does not diminish their importance or our heritage. We will restore these holidays one day,” Sadiq affirmed.
July 13 is observed as a public holiday in Jammu and Kashmir in memory of the 23 individuals who were killed by the Dogra Maharaja’s forces in 1931.
Additionally, December 5 is recognized as a public holiday to celebrate the birth anniversary of NC founder Sheikh Abdullah.
Both holidays were abolished by the LG administration following the 2019 abrogation of Article 370, and the recently announced list of public holidays for 2025 by the LG administration does not include these significant dates.
