- The Government of India scraps two public holidays in J&K on December 5 and July 13.
- A new holiday has been introduced to celebrate the day when Kashmir acceded to join the Indian Union.
- Here is the revised list of holidays for J&K for 2020.
Ever since Jammu and Kashmir became a separate Union Territory vide the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019, the Center implemented a lot of changes to streamline the administration. Its moves aim at reinventing the identity of the region as an integral part of India.
In a recent announcement, the central government scrapped of two public holidays and introduced a new one to celebrate the day when Kashmir acceded to be a part of India.
Scrapped and newly introduced holidays
The government cancels the existing public holidays on
December 5 and July 13. December 5 is observed as the birth anniversary of Sheikh Mohd Abdullah, the founder of National Conference and the former Prime Minister and Chief Minister of J&K.
July 13 is noted as Martyr’s Day in the former J&K state. In 1931, 22 Kashmiris were killed in front of the Central Jail in Srinagar when they protested against the autocracy exercised by the Dogra Rulers.
J&K also sees the instruction of a new holiday on October 26, to celebrate the event of Kashmir acceding to join the Indian Union in the year 1947.
Here is the updated list of holidays for the Union Territory for 2020.
Date & Day | Description | |
26 January, Sunday, | Republic Day | |
21 February, Friday | Maha Shivaratri | |
10 March, Tuesday | Holi | |
25 March, Wednesday | Ugadi | |
13 April, Monday | Vaisakh | |
14 April, Tuesday | Dr Ambedkar Jayanti | |
7 May, Thursday | Buddha Purnima | |
21 May, Thursday | Shab-i-Qadr | |
22 May, Friday | Jumat-ul-Wida | |
24 May, Sunday | Idul Fitr | |
5 July, Sunday | Guru Hargobind Ji's Birthday | |
13 Jul, Monday | Martyr’s Day | Scrapped Now |
31 July, Friday | Bakrid / Eid al Adha | |
1 August, Saturday | Bakrid / Eid al Adha Holiday | |
11 August, Tuesday | Janmashtami | |
15 August, Saturday | Independence Day | |
30 August, Sunday | Muharram | |
2 October, Friday | Gandhi Jayanti | |
26 October, Monday | VijayadasamiKashmir Joining Indian Union | Newly Introduced Holiday |
30 October, Friday | Eid e Milad | |
6 November, Friday | Friday Following Eid e Milad | |
14 November, Saturday | Diwali | |
30 November, Monday | Guru Nanak Jayanti | |
5 December, Saturday | Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah Jayanti | Scrapped Now |
25 December | Christmas | |
What to note about public holidays 2020Holidays differ from state to state depending on the regional events. As per the RBI guidelines, banks will not work on the second and fourth Saturdays. If you are looking up for holidays of banks, leave out these days when you might not be able to visit the banks for financial transactions. Planning in advance for the holidays can help save hassles as well as get the best out of holidays 2020.