The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly witnessed heated exchanges and sloganeering on Tuesday, the second day of its autumn session, after National Conference MLA Abdul Majeed Larmi demanded a holiday on the birth anniversary of party founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah.
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to grant a holiday for Sheikh Abdullah, the existing holiday marking Maharaja Hari Singh’s birth anniversary should be withdrawn. 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 ruckus continued, BJP MLA Surjit Singh Slathia said his party wants the House to function and demanded answers from the government on the issues raised by the opposition. Congres s MLA Nizamuddin Bhat said “hooliganism” will not be allowed and there should be a consensus on the issue of the holiday.
He urged the government to declare a holiday on Sheikh Abdullah’s birth anniversary as well. 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.
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.
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. 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.
