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NC Leaders Honor Sheikh Abdullah Amid Kashmir Political Debate
National Conference leaders gathered to remember Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, an important former leader of Jammu and Kashmir.
They visited his grave in Srinagar and offered prayers and flowers.
They said he stood for justice, dignity, unity, and helping ordinary people.
They also praised land reforms introduced during his leadership.
Sheikh Abdullah opposed the idea that India and Pakistan should be divided only by religion.
He supported a secular India instead.
Leaders in Jammu held another event to remember his ideas.
The anniversary also brought back disagreements about which historical days should be official holidays in Jammu and Kashmir.
National Conference leaders led by Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah marked Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah’s 44th death anniversary in Srinagar.
Leaders paid floral tributes and recited Fateha at Sheikh Abdullah’s mausoleum near the Hazratbal shrine.
Speakers highlighted his secular politics, opposition to the two-nation theory, and landmark land reforms.
A separate commemorative event in Jammu reaffirmed the National Conference’s commitment to equality, religious freedom, and unity in diversity.
The anniversary renewed debate over the cancellation of official holidays linked to Sheikh Abdullah and Kashmir Martyrs’ Day after 2019.
- Who
- National Conference leaders and workers, including Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, and Rattan Lal Gupta, commemorated Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah.
- What
- They marked Sheikh Abdullah’s 44th death anniversary and discussed his political legacy, secular vision, unity message, and land reforms.
- Where
- Events took place at Sheikh Abdullah’s mausoleum in Naseem Bagh near Hazratbal in Srinagar and at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhawan in Jammu.
- When
- The commemoration was held on Tuesday; Sheikh Abdullah died on September 8, 1982.
- Why
- The National Conference sought to honor Sheikh Abdullah and reaffirm the values it associates with his leadership amid continuing debate over Jammu and Kashmir’s political identity.
National Conference Perspective
Administration’s Calendar Perspective
Historical identity
National Conference Perspective
National Conference leaders said Sheikh Abdullah’s legacy, secular vision, land reforms, and unity remain central to Jammu and Kashmir’s political and social identity.
Administration’s Calendar Perspective
The Lieutenant Governor-led administration changed the official commemorative calendar after the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of the erstwhile state.
Official holidays
National Conference Perspective
The National Conference and the People’s Democratic Party criticized the cancellation of holidays for Kashmir Martyrs’ Day on July 13 and Sheikh Abdullah’s birth anniversary on December 5, arguing that it weakened the region’s historical identity.
Administration’s Calendar Perspective
The administration cancelled those holidays and declared October 26, marking the Instrument of Accession, and later September 23, marking Maharaja Hari Singh’s birth anniversary, as official holidays.
Key facts
- Occasion
- 44th death anniversary of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah
- Main venue
- Sheikh Abdullah’s mausoleum, Naseem Bagh, near Hazratbal, Srinagar
- Jammu venue
- Sher-e-Kashmir Bhawan
- Key legacy cited
- Secular politics, unity, dignity, and land reforms
- Political office
- First Prime Minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir
- Death date
- September 8, 1982
- Post-2019 holiday change
- The Lieutenant Governor-led administration cancelled official holidays on July 13 and December 5, while declaring October 26 and later September 23 holidays
Quotes
Farooq Abdullah
President of the National Conference and senior Jammu and Kashmir politician
“National Conference remains steadfast in its mission to safeguard the rights of all people, ensuring freedom of religion, equality, and unity in diversity. Upholding this spirit and isolating those who spread hate is the true tribute to Sheikh Sahib.”
deccanchronicle.com
“Sher-e-Kashmir (the Lion of Kashmir as the Sheikh was known to his supporters) dedicated his life to ensuring that every citizen of Jammu and Kashmir could live with honour.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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