JAMMU: Memorial of Maharaja Hari Singh is losing its sheen brick by brick. Till date neither any state government agency nor any politician worth name has come forward to renovate the memorial.
The same memorial was used as dharna stahl by the AIIMS Coordination Committee to get equal share for people of Jammu region. Various political parties also exploit the place and use it as a platform to kick start their movement but when it comes to contributing towards its maintenance they vanish in air.
Another statue of Maharaja Hari Singh, standing tall in front of the police station complex behind Jammu University exit gate is also facing neglect.
Compared to city rotaries which are decorated with flowers and sponsored by various business houses the same has been neglected by the state agencies, socio-politico organisations and business houses.
Ever since Jammu for India has launched its campaign in Jammu to fight for rights of people of Jammu region, Maharaja Hari Singh’s name has gained currency.
His images were used by the group on its posters and took pride in identifying with the last ruler of the State to resurrect an agitation against the ill treatment meted to the people of Jammu region by the ruling dispensation.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti also took keen interest in development of Maharaja Hari Singh Park, located on the banks of river Tawi. She herself set a target for the Jammu Development Authority and Jammu Municipal Corporation to ensure the park site was not used as dumping ground for storing garbage along the banks of river Tawi.
Though work is going on at the project site of the park and is expected to be over soon in contrast to this the site where king size statue of Maharaja Hari Singh is standing tall, reality bites.