The Jammu and Kashmir government has released its official holiday list for 2025, featuring religious, national, and regional celebrations. However, the omission of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah’s birthday and July 13, Martyrs’ Day, has sparked debate.
Sheikh Abdullah is the founder of the National Conference and was Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir from 1947 to 1953. He later became chief minister in 1977 following the 1975 Indira- Sheikh Accord.
His birthday and Martyrs Day were excluded from the list of official holidays after the abrogation of Article 370.
In November, the Omar-led government formally submitted a proposal to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, requesting the reinstatement of the holiday. However, no action has been taken, leaving the matter in limbo as 2025 draws closer.
The absence of Sheikh Abdullah’s birthday from the official holiday list underscores the ongoing power struggle between elected representatives and the Lieutenant Governor’s office. As the debate continues, the exclusion of these significant dates serves as a reminder of the shifting political dynamics in Jammu and Kashmir.
The exclusion of Sheikh Abdullah’s birthday and Martyrs’ Day has become a controversial issue, pointing to ongoing disputes over historical legacies and governance authority.
Leaders of the ruling National Conference (NC) had promised to reinstate these holidays, but they remain absent from the list.
Despite repeated demands from elected MLAs to bring back the holidays, which were removed by the Lieutenant Governor’s administration, they are still not included. This highlights the limited power of the elected government in Jammu and Kashmir, where the Centre-appointed Lieutenant Governor holds significant influence.
The NC had previously called for the reinstatement of these holidays, but the issue remains unresolved.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary had recently assured that the Omar Abdullah-led government would soon declare December 5—Sheikh Abdullah’s birth anniversary—as a public holiday.
NC general secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar had also advocated for recognising December 5 as a holiday, however, no heed was paid by the administration to the appeal.
