The Jammu and Kashmir administration, led by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, came under fire on Friday for refusing to shift the Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi holiday to Saturday.
Critics, including political and religious leaders, called the move insensitive to public sentiment.
Although Muslims worldwide are observing the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday on the 12th of Rabi Al Awwal, which falls on Saturday according to the moon sighting, the administration observed the holiday a day earlier. The General Administration Department (GAD) followed its pre-published calendar and did not revise the date despite repeated appeals.
Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was sharply critical. He said the decision was “inconsiderate & designed to hurt the sentiments of the people.”
“The calendar printed by the Government Press is very clear – ‘Subject to the appearance of the moon’. It means that the holiday is subject to change depending upon the moon being sighted,” Abdullah wrote on X. “The deliberate decision by the unelected government to not shift the holiday is inconsiderate & designed to hurt the sentiments of the people,” he added.
Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also condemned the move, accusing the administration of “utter disregard.” He said that for the second year in a row, the authorities had failed to reschedule the holiday in line with the actual date.
He said the refusal “disregards the sentiments of the Muslim community” and described it as “deliberate negligence” that is “unacceptable to the Muslims of J&K, who strongly protest it.” Mirwaiz also criticised the elected government’s silence, saying it had “failed to take a stand on any issue of the people of J&K.” He announced that he would raise the issue in his Friday sermon at Jama Masjid.
Senior National Conference leader and J&K Health and Education Minister Sakina Itoo said it was “totally unjust that a sacred occasion for Muslims worldwide is not observed on the correct date in J&K.”
She asked, “What does ‘subject to appearance of the moon’ mean if it is not followed?” Itoo added that despite repeated requests from the elected government to shift the holiday, “no action has been taken,” accusing the administration of “playing with the emotions of the people.” She stressed that such decisions “should be at the helm of the elected government.”
Jammu Kashmir Civil Society Forum (JKCSF) chairman Ab Qayoom Wani also voiced disapproval. He said it was “most unfortunate” that the administration failed to adjust the notification even though Eid Milad fell on Saturday as per the lunar calendar.
He added that the mismatch “reflects a casual approach towards a revered day which holds immense spiritual and religious significance for the people.”