Scenes of intense pandemonium unraveled in the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Tuesday as lawmakers from the governing National Conference (NC) and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) locked horns over the regional list of gazetted public holidays, culminating in a boycott and walkout by the opposition benches.

The showdown was triggered immediately following the start of proceedings when NC legislator Abdul Majid Larmi mounted a vehement demand that the administration must either reinstate the official holiday commemorating the birth and death anniversaries of National Conference founder Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah or forthwith withdraw the public holiday observed in honour of the last ruling monarch of Jammu & Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh.

Pressing his contention on the floor, Larmi stated that the commemorative leaves traditionally honoring the former Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, historically referred to as ‘Sher-e-Kashmir’, had been arbitrarily eliminated from the government calendar. He argued that if the present establishment refuses to bring back Abdullah’s memorial holiday, it should correspondingly cancel the holiday designated for Maharaja Hari Singh.

Chants and Counter-Offensives Rock the Floor

The remarks ignited fierce resistance across the opposition benches. BJP legislators surged to their feet in outrage, raising high-pitched slogans defending the Dogra ruler. Chants of “Maharaja Hari Singh Amar Rahe, Maharaja Hari Singh Amar Rahe” (Long live Maharaja Hari Singh) echoed across the floor as agitated members registered their objection against any move targeting the Dogra sovereign’s legacy.

As the opposition voiced its ire, treasury members launched a swift counter-narrative. Senior NC legislators Nazir Gurezi and Shamima Firdous stepped into the fray, championing Sheikh Abdullah’s monumental role in the political emancipation and agrarian reforms of Jammu and Kashmir. Adding weight to the treasury stance, NC representative from Eidgah Mubarak Gul insisted that the party’s programmatic commitment remains steadfast on restoring Sheikh Abdullah’s birth anniversary holiday.

PDP Joins the Fray, Demands Martyrs’ Day Calendar Revival

The debate widened as People’s Democratic Party (PDP) legislator Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra lent his voice in backing the demand, while additionally calling for the reintroduction of the contentious July 13 Martyrs’ Day holiday, which was previously observed in the erstwhile state.

“The sentiments of large sections of society are deeply tied to this heritage,” Parra maintained during his intervention. “The demand raised regarding Sheikh Abdullah’s commemoration is legitimate and has broad consensus among members representing the popular will in this House.”

Speaker Rather Intervenes: ‘Beyond Assembly’s Direct Powers’

With tempers flaring and proceedings grinding to a halt, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather repeatedly appealed for decorum, urging protesting members to reclaim their allotted seats. Seeking to de-escalate the standoff, the Speaker placed on record the constitutional boundaries of the Chair.

Speaker Rather further cautioned the benches that the legislative forum operates strictly in accordance with the established Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business. “Members cannot simply bring up subjects unannounced and insist on spontaneous replies from the treasury benches. The government must be given proper notice to formulate responses,” Rather firmly stated.

Amidst the escalating friction, senior BJP lawmaker Surjit Singh Slathia pressed the government to respond first to the crucial concerns his party had laid on the table during Monday’s business. Expressing dissatisfaction with the chair’s directions and the treasury’s posture, the entire BJP contingent marched into the well and subsequently executed a total walkout from the assembly chamber.