Srinagar Authorities Mandate Government Employee Attendance at Republic Day Celebrations

In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the authorities in Srinagar have issued a controversial order making it mandatory for all government employees to attend the Republic Day celebrations at Bakshi Stadium on January 26. This move is being seen as an attempt to enforce participation in a national event under the shadow of ongoing militarization and political control.

An official order, issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Srinagar, has directed all Heads of Departments, district officers, and their subordinate staff to attend the Republic Day event as part of their official duties. The order makes clear that attendance is not optional and should be treated as a work-related responsibility.

In addition to the attendance mandate, the order instructs each department to designate a senior officer to monitor and record the attendance of their staff at the event. These records will then be submitted to Yamin-ul-Nabi, the Assistant Commissioner of Food Safety, who has been appointed as the District Level Nodal Officer responsible for tracking compliance.

The order explicitly states that failure to attend the Republic Day celebrations will be treated as a violation of government instructions and official duties. This has raised concerns among employees who may feel coerced into participating in an event they do not support or may not feel comfortable attending, given the ongoing political situation in IIOJK.

The mandate to attend Republic Day celebrations in IIOJK, a region under heavy Indian military presence and political unrest, is seen by many as part of India’s broader strategy to assert control and suppress dissent in Kashmir. While some may view it as a patriotic obligation, others perceive it as an extension of the militarization and coercion that has been a consistent feature of Indian governance in the region, especially since the revocation of IIOJK’s special status in August 2019.

As January 26 approaches, the controversy surrounding this mandate highlights the tension between India’s national celebrations and the realities of life under occupation in IIOJK. The mandatory attendance order is a stark reminder of the ongoing political and social challenges that Kashmiris face daily.