Srinagar: National Conference (NC) legislator Abdul Majid Larmi on Tuesday said the government should either restore the holiday on the birth anniversary of Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah or cancel the holiday marking the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh, triggering strong protests from BJP lawmakers in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.
As soon as the proceedings began, Larmi’s remarks led to an uproar, with BJP legislators accusing the NC of trying to disrupt the functioning of the House.
“The ruling party is trying to disrupt proceedings. How can they talk about cancelling a holiday?” BJP MLA R.S. Pathania said, according to Kashmir News Observer.
BJP lawmakers also raised slogans in favour of Maharaja Hari Singh, with BJP MLA Devyani Rana shouting, “Maharaja Hari Singh Amar Rahe.”
Amid the din, NC legislators Mubarak Gul and Shamima Firdous strongly pressed for the restoration of the holiday on Sheikh Abdullah’s birth anniversary.
PDP legislator Waheed Para also backed the demand, calling it legitimate, and sought the restoration of the Martyrs’ Day holiday.
Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather admonished the protesting BJP members and said disruptions would not be allowed in the House.
“The House has to run as per procedure. You cannot do this,” he told the protesting lawmakers.
The BJP legislators later staged a walkout from the House.
