Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Omar Abdullah Accuses BJP of Rewriting J&K History
Jammu and Kashmir politicians are arguing about which historical figures should have official holidays.
Omar Abdullah and his National Conference party want holidays connected to Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah restored.
The Bharatiya Janata Party supports honoring Maharaja Hari Singh, a former ruler of the region.
The argument became loud in the legislative Assembly, where members shouted competing slogans.
Some holidays were removed after Article 370 was abrogated in 2019.
Other holidays connected to Maharaja Hari Singh were added or retained.
Omar Abdullah says the BJP is changing history to fit its political story.
BJP supporters say Hari Singh should be remembered for reforms and signing the Instrument of Accession.
Omar Abdullah accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of reshaping history to suit its political preferences.
The dispute followed clashes over restoring holidays honoring Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and retaining holidays honoring Maharaja Hari Singh.
National Conference legislators sought holidays for Sheikh Abdullah’s birth and death anniversaries in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly.
The Lieutenant Governor-led administration removed several legacy holidays after Article 370 was abrogated in 2019, including Kashmir Martyrs’ Day.
Bharatiya Janata Party leaders and Dogra organizations celebrated Hari Singh’s birth anniversary and praised his reforms and role in the Instrument of Accession.
- Who
- Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the National Conference, the Bharatiya Janata Party, and allied Dogra organizations are central to the dispute.
- What
- A political dispute has erupted over official holidays commemorating Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, Kashmir Martyrs’ Day, and Maharaja Hari Singh.
- When
- The confrontation intensified on September 23, following an Assembly uproar the previous day; the article also refers to changes made after 2019 and the 2026 holiday calendar.
- Where
- The dispute unfolded in Srinagar and the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, with celebrations held across Jammu and Kashmir.
- Why
- The parties disagree over how the region’s political history and important historical figures should be officially commemorated.
National Conference and Sheikh Abdullah Supporters
Bharatiya Janata Party and Dogra Supporters
Which history should be officially honored?
National Conference and Sheikh Abdullah Supporters
The National Conference says Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah played a foundational role in Jammu and Kashmir’s political development and wants holidays linked to him restored.
Bharatiya Janata Party and Dogra Supporters
The Bharatiya Janata Party and Dogra groups emphasize Maharaja Hari Singh’s reforms, modernization efforts, and role in signing the Instrument of Accession.
Was history being reshaped?
National Conference and Sheikh Abdullah Supporters
Omar Abdullah argues that the Bharatiya Janata Party presents history differently when it dislikes an existing narrative and says Sheikh Abdullah’s contributions cannot be forgotten.
Bharatiya Janata Party and Dogra Supporters
Bharatiya Janata Party supporters frame recognition of Maharaja Hari Singh as honoring his historical role rather than erasing other figures.
Holiday changes after 2019
National Conference and Sheikh Abdullah Supporters
The removal of Sheikh Abdullah’s birth-anniversary holiday and Kashmir Martyrs’ Day is viewed by many critics as an attempt to erase Kashmir’s political memory.
Bharatiya Janata Party and Dogra Supporters
The post-2019 administration removed several long-standing holidays while elevating observances associated with Maharaja Hari Singh, including his birth anniversary and Instrument of Accession Day.
- Main accuser
- Chief Minister Omar Abdullah accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of rewriting history.
- Holiday sought
- National Conference MLA Abdul Majeed Larmi demanded restoration of December 5 as Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah’s birth-anniversary holiday.
- Additional date sought
- Larmi also sought recognition for September 8, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah’s death anniversary.
- Removed observance
- Kashmir Martyrs’ Day, observed on July 13, was among holidays scrapped after 2019.
- Retained holidays
- The 2026 holiday calendar includes September 23, Maharaja Hari Singh’s birth anniversary, and October 26, Instrument of Accession Day.
- Assembly disruption
- National Conference and Bharatiya Janata Party legislators clashed for nearly 15 minutes over the issue.
- BJP commemoration
- Bharatiya Janata Party leaders and allied groups held rallies, cultural programs, and tributes for Hari Singh across Jammu and Kashmir.