Srinagar, Sep 5: A controversy has erupted in Jammu and Kashmir over the observance of the Eid-e-Milad holiday, with senior minister Sakina Itoo criticizing the administration for failing to declare the festival on its correct date. Eid-e-Milad marks the birth anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad.
“This is totally unjust that Eid-e-Milad, a sacred occasion for Muslims worldwide, is not observed as a holiday on the correct date in J&K,” she said in a post on X.
“What does ‘subject to appearance of the moon’ mean if it is not followed? Despite repeated requests from the elected government to shift the holiday, no action has been taken,” she added.
The minister further stressed that such decisions should rest with the elected representatives. “This is playing with the emotions of the people. Such decisions should be at the helm of the elected government,” she added.
Incidentally, the Special Officer Auqaf had formally requested the postponement of the holiday on account of Eid-e-Milad, which is scheduled to be observed today, and suggested that the holiday be officially declared for tomorrow in Jammu and Kashmir. The J&K Revenue Department subsequently wrote to the General Administration Department (GAD) on September 1, urging it to consider declaring the holiday on tomorrow.
“It is further submitted that all Muslim holidays are subject to the appearance of the moon,” the Under Secretary wrote in the letter to the GAD. However, there has been no response from the Secretary, GAD, on the matter so far. In the union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, a dual governance system is in place, under which the declaration of public holidays falls within the purview of the Lieutenant Governor.
