Srinagar, Dec 30: The exclusion of holidays commemorating Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah’s birthday and Martyrs’ Day from Jammu and Kashmir’s official list of holidays for 2025 has drawn sharp criticism from the National Conference (NC).

The order about the list of holidays was issued by Commissioner-Secretary GAD and as per notification the Union Territory will observe 28 public holidays in 2025. However, the list of holidays does not include the birth anniversary of the NC founder Sheikh Abdullah, popularly known as Sher-e-Kashmir, on December 5 and “Martyrs’ Day” on July 13. J&K used to observe July 13 as a holiday to commemorate those Kashmiris who were killed while protesting on this day in 1931.

Before the abrogation of J&K’s special status in 2019, both dates were recognized as public holidays. However, in 2020, the Lieutenant Governor’s administration removed them. The government instead announced holidays on Maharaja Hari Singh’s birthday on September 23 and the anniversary of troop deployment to J&K on October 26, 1947, as gazetted holidays.

The exclusion of holidays commemorating Sheikh Abdullah’s birthday and Martyrs’ Day evoked sharp criticism.

“ Today’s list of holidays and the decision reflects the BJP’s disregard for Kashmir’s history and democratic struggle,” the chief spokesperson of NC and MLA from Zadibal, Tanvir Sadiq said.

“While we had hoped for the inclusion of holidays commemorating leaders like Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and the martyrs of July 13th, their absence does not diminish their significance or our legacy. These holidays will be restored one day,” he added.

CPI(M) Central Committee Member and MLA from Kulgam, M Y Tarigami said it was very unfortunate that July 13 & December 5 have been dropped from the list of holidays for 2025 calendar year.

“July 13 holds immense historical significance for J & K, as it commemorates the sacrifice of those who laid down their lives protesting against autocratic rule and advocating for human dignity. Similarly, December 5, Sheikh Sahb’s birthday, is a day of great importance. Sheikh Sahab and his colleagues made great contributions toward empowering people by democratizing society, implementing radical land reforms, introducing free education and empowering women as part of the Naya Kashmir manifesto,” ,” Tarigami said, adding “attempts made to erase such pivotal milestones from our collective memory undermines the values they represent. Distorting the history in this way will serve no purpose.”

The ruling NC had submitted a proposal to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, urging the reinstatement of the December 5 holiday. The omission in the new list indicates the dual power structure prevailing the administration’s decisions.

Former Srinagar Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu hit at the ruling NC.

“Didn’t NC promise that 13th July Martyrs’ Day State Holiday and State Function would be restored? Did they just forget because they were busy stitching new wardrobes and buying and ordering new cars or is this another shameless U-turn? Any word from the new Government?,” he posted on X

UNI