Holiday row: NC, BJP legislators clash in Assembly

Srinagar, Sep 22: Pandemonium broke out in the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Tuesday after National Conference (NC) legislator Abdul Majid Larmi demanded that the government should either restore the holiday on the birth anniversary of NC founder Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah or cancel the holiday marking the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh.
As soon as proceedings began, Larmi said that if Sheikh Abdullah’s holiday is not restored, the government must cancel the holiday on the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh.
“The holiday which should have been observed on the birth or death anniversaries of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah has been cancelled by them. The holiday should be restored; otherwise, they should cancel the holiday relating to Maharaja Hari Singh,” Larmi demanded.
The NC legislator’s remarks triggered protests by BJP lawmakers, who raised slogans in favour of Maharaja Hari Singh. “Maharaja Hari Singh Amar Rahe, Maharaja Hari Singh Amar Rahe (Long live Maharaja Hari Singh),” BJP legislators shouted.
Amid pro-Maharaja slogans, NC legislators Nazir Gurezi and Shamima Firdous countered by highlighting the contributions of Sheikh Abdullah. As BJP legislators continued their protests, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather urged them to return to their seats.
“Please, take your seats. I will listen to you. I want to tell you something: I do not have to restore or cancel holidays. That is not within my powers,” the Speaker told them.
NC MLA from Eidgah, Mubarak Gul, said it is NC’s stand that the holiday on the birth anniversary of Sheikh Abdullah should be restored. Intervening in the discussion, PDP MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra supported the demand for restoration of the holiday and also pressed for the revival of the July 13 Martyrs’ Day holiday.
“The issue raised by Larmi Sahab is legitimate. Emotions of people are attached to this issue, and they want Sheikh Sahib’s holiday to be restored. Everyone in the House wants its restoration,” he said.
Amid commotion in the House, BJP MLA Surjit Singh Slathia demanded that the government respond to the issue raised by them in the House on Monday.
As BJP legislators continued disruptions, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather warned them of action.
“The House has to function as per procedure. You cannot behave like this,” he told them.
The Speaker told them that MLAs can raise issues as per the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the J&K Assembly.
“It is not like you can talk about anything and seek answers from the government. The government must get notice,” he told them.
Later, BJP legislators staged a walkout from the House. (KNO)