J&K ASSEMBLY DAY 2: HOLIDAY ISSUE SPARKS STORMY EXCHANGE OVER SHEIKH ABDULLAH, MAHARAJA HARI SINGH AND JULY 13 MARTYRS
Larmi Seeks Official Holiday On Sheikh Abdullah’s Birth Anniversary; BJP Members Oppose Proposal To Reconsider Maharaja Hari Singh Holiday
Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather Says Assembly Has No Power To Declare Or Withdraw Government Holidays; Waheed Para Raises July 13 Martyrs’ Holiday Issue
SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 22 (KNC): The second day of the autumn session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly witnessed a heated exchange among members over the issue of government holidays and historical commemorations, after Anantnag West MLA Abdul Majeed Larmi raised the demand for a holiday on the birth anniversary of former J&K leader Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah.
According to details available with news agency KNC, Larmi drew the attention of the House towards the September 23 holiday, which is observed on the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh.
LARMI DEMANDS HOLIDAY FOR SHEIKH ABDULLAH
During the proceedings, Larmi urged the government to consider including Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah’s birth anniversary in the official holiday calendar.
He argued that the occasion should also receive official recognition through a government holiday.
Larmi further said that if such a holiday was not considered, the existing holiday on the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh should also be reconsidered.
BJP MEMBERS RAISE OBJECTIONS
The demand immediately drew objections from BJP MLAs, who questioned the suggestion to reconsider the holiday associated with Maharaja Hari Singh.
The remarks triggered a brief exchange between members as different views were expressed on the recognition of historical personalities through the government holiday calendar.
SPEAKER RATHER CLARIFIES ASSEMBLY’S ROLE
Intervening in the matter, Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather clarified that the Legislative Assembly itself does not have the authority to grant or withdraw government holidays.
The Speaker said the MLA had placed his views before the House, while the decision regarding the declaration or withdrawal of government holidays rests with the competent government authority through the prescribed administrative process.
WAHEED PARA BRINGS UP JULY 13 MARTYRS’ HOLIDAY
During the discussion, PDP MLA Waheed Para also intervened and referred to the issue of the July 13 martyrs’ holiday.
Para supported consideration of a holiday on the birth anniversary of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and said that the sentiments associated with historical events and personalities should also be taken into account.
His intervention widened the discussion to include different historical commemorations and their place in the official holiday calendar.
SEPTEMBER 23 HOLIDAY LISTED IN ASSEMBLY CALENDAR
The provisional calendar of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly lists September 23 as a holiday on account of the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh.
The issue was raised during the second day of the autumn session as members discussed matters concerning historical recognition, public sentiment and the government’s holiday calendar.
The exchange remained part of the proceedings as the House subsequently continued with its scheduled legislative business.(KNC)
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