Srinagar: The Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC) and Jammu Kashmir Teachers Forum on Wednesday demanded three-day gazetted holiday on Eid in Jammu and Kashmir.
“On behalf of EJAC President Fayaz Ahmad Shabnum and Senior Vice-President EJAC and Chairman JKTF, Showkat Ahmad Bhat, we extend our gratitude to the Hon’ble Chief Minister Jenab Omar Abdullah Sahib for his continued commitment to address the concerns of employees and the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” a statement issued here reads.
“We strongly demand that the Government of Jammu & Kashmir declare a three-day gazetted holidays for Eid, in line with the existing practices in several other states across India. Many states grant multiple days of leave for major religious festivals based on the demographic composition of their population. It is only fair that a similar policy be implemented in Jammu & Kashmir where Muslims constitute the majority,” the statement added.
“In Hindu-majority states, festivals like Diwali are given due recognition with multiple holidays. For example, in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and other states, the government grants three or more days of leave covering Chhoti Diwali, Diwali (Lakshmi Puja), Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj. This ensures that people have ample time to celebrate their festivals with religious fervor and family gatherings. Likewise, some Muslim-majority regions in India, such as Kerala, West Bengal, Hyderabad and Bihar, allow extended leave for Eid celebrations, acknowledging the significance of these religious occasions,” the statement reads.
Jammu & Kashmir, with its majority Muslim population, currently grants only one-day gazetted leave for Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha. This is insufficient, as Eid celebrations extend beyond just one day. Eid-ul-Adha, in particular, involves the significant religious practice of Qurbani (sacrifice), which takes time and extends beyond a single day. Employees working far from home face significant difficulties in fulfilling their religious obligations and returning to work within the limited time frame, it reads.
“It is crucial to ensure equality and fairness in holiday policies. Given that Hindu-majority states provide extended holidays for their festivals, the same principle should be applied in Jammu & Kashmir. Declaring a three-day gazetted holiday for both Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha would reflect fairness, respect for religious diversity and consideration of the cultural fabric of the region. Such a decision would not only strengthen communal harmony but also ensure that religious rights are upheld in the same manner as they are for other communities,” the associations said.
“In light of these justifications, we urge the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to declare a three-day gazetted holidays for Eid in Jammu & Kashmir. This is a long-standing and legitimate demand, based on clear precedents from other states and the fundamental principle of fairness. We hope the government will take immediate action on this matter and grant the people of Jammu & Kashmir the same recognition and respect for their religious festivals as given elsewhere in the country,” they said.
EJAC, JKTF demand 3-day Gazetted holiday on Eid
