Srinagar, Sep 22, : Peoples Democratic Party MLA from Budgam Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi on Tuesday demanded that July 13 be restored as an official holiday in Jammu and Kashmir, raising the issue in the Legislative Assembly.Mehdi displayed a handwritten placard in the House carrying the message, “Restore 13 July Martyrs Day Holiday,” while pressing for recognition of the day.Speaking on the issue, Mehdi called for due recognition of the historical significance of July 13 and the sacrifices associated with the day. He urged the government to consider the demand and take appropriate steps to restore its observance as Martyrs’ Day in Jammu and Kashmir.July 13 was observed as a public holiday in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir in memory of the people killed outside Srinagar Central Jail on July 13, 1931. The day was removed from the official holiday calendar after the reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019.The demand to restore the holiday has previously been raised in the Legislative Assembly. PDP MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra had sought restoration of July 13 as a holiday during the Assembly’s 2025 session, while the issue has remained a subject of political debate.The official Jammu and Kashmir holiday calendar for 2026 again does not include July 13. [KNT]
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