The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly experienced intense debates and chanting on Tuesday, marking the second day of its autumn session. National Conference MLA Abdul Majeed Larmi called for a public holiday to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, the party’s founder. This demand sparked a lively response among the assembly members, highlighting the ongoing political tensions in the region.
He urged the government to declare a holiday on Sheikh Abdullah’s birth anniversary as well. His remarks drew strong objections from BJP legislators. BJP members rose from their seats, protested the demand and raised slogans in support of Maharaja Hari Singh. Following this, BJP legislators staged a walkout from the Assembly, accusing Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather of bias. The Speaker stood on his feet, and asked the BJP MLAs not to protest and take their seats. “The NC government was there for many years.
Raising the issue in the House, Larmi pointed out that September 23 is observed as a holiday to mark the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh.
Larmi further said that if the government was not ready to grant a holiday for Sheikh Abdullah, the existing holiday marking Maharaja Hari Singh’s birth anniversary should be withdrawn. They termed the proposal to withdraw the existing holiday as “illegitimate” and questioned why it should be cancelled. The Speaker said that a notice to the government was required to raise the issue. Earlier reporting noted: BJP MLA Devayani Rana said the holiday on the anniversary of the Maharaja will not be cancelled. Supporting the demand for a holiday on former Chief Minister Abdullah’s anniversary, NC MLA Nazir Gurezi said the NC founder was the peoples’ leader. Earlier reporting noted: NC chief whip Mubarak Gul said the demand for a holiday on Abdullah’s anniversary is the party’s stand. But, we did not change any name or cancel holidays,” he said.
Earlier reporting noted: As the BJP members raised slogans against the government, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather asked them that if Larmi has put his view in the House, why were they protesting.
