Indian political parties and human rights organizations demanded that the government recognizes the birth anniversary of the Commander of the Faithful, peace be upon him, as an official holiday in the country, stressing that this is a right of the Shias, and similar to the celebrations and holidays of the rest of the sects and other religions.
Syed Abbas Rizvi, a representative of the Justice Front (the Peoples of Jammu and Kashmir), said in a statement followed by Shiawaves, “ We demand that an annual day be set to celebrate the birth anniversary of Imam Ali, peace be upon him,” noting that “the Shia community is deprived of its rights even in determining official holidays in the country. “
He added, “We ask the government to declare the 13th of Rajab of every Hijri year as an official holiday, to commemorate the birth of the successor of the Messenger of God, peace be upon him. “
