Merrymaking in Jammu on declaration of Maharaja Hari Singh’s birthday as public holiday

STATE TIMES NEWS

JAMMU: Celebrations broke out at various places in Jammu on Friday as people danced to tunes of drumbeats and distributed sweets following the declaration of Maharaja Hari Singh’s birth anniversary on September 23 as a public holiday.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said the decision has been taken in view of the aspirations and feelings of the people and the great contribution of the Maharaja.
People assembled at different places, particularly at Tawi bridge, and danced to tunes of drumbeats and distributed sweets as they hailed the government’s move as “historic” and “monumental”.
Besides, Karni Sena, Team Jammu, and various Rajput associations also celebrated the announcement with great pomp and show, and chanted pro-Maharaja slogans.
The Lieutenant Governor said Maharaja Hari Singh was a great educationist, progressive thinker, social reformer and a towering man of ideas and ideals.
“The public holiday will be a fitting tribute to Maharaja Hari Singh Ji’s rich legacy,” he observed.
Praising the decision of the government, former deputy chief minister Nirmal Singh told reporters here that the demand of the Dogras of the region have been fulfilled after 72 years.
“Former PM Jawahar Lal Nehru and former CM Sheikh Abdullah hatched a conspiracy against people’s Maharaja Hari Singh”, said Dr. Nirmal Singh.
“Today, Congress leaders are trying to create several controversies over the holiday. I must remind them that their black deeds forced the Maharaja to live the rest of his life in exile who could not return alive to his native state but in ashes. They must answer that where were they for the long 72 years, in which they could have done justice with the Maharaja” said Dr. Singh.
Dr. Singh criticized the parties like Congress, NC, PDP for demeaning the contributions of Maharaja.
He said that the leaders of these parties hatched conspiracies against the Maharaja and his significant contributions to the society and the nation. He said that the Jammu residents struggled continuously to get his services recognized.
Dr. Singh expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and others who ensured to correct the historic blunder by removing Article 370 and gave due recognition to the true heroes of the state.
He also thanked PM Modi, Amit Shah, BJP National President JP Nadda and LG Manoj Sinha and every resident of Duggar Pradesh for ensuring the holiday on the birthday of Maharaja.
Dr. Singh further said that earlier the most important day in our history, the day of Accession, 26th October was recognized and declared a holiday.
Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CCI) Jammu overwhelming welcomed the decision of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s announcement.
In a statement, Arun Gupta, President CCI Jammu said that the Chamber welcomed the aforesaid decision as it was a long pending demand of the people of Jammu region.
He said Maharaja Hari Singh was a great educationist, progressive thinker, social reformer and a towering man of ideas and ideals.
The Chamber President said that it is a decision that needs to be celebrated by the people across cross sections of the society as their aspirations, sentiments and feelings linked with the great Maharaja have been duly addressed by the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory Administration led by LG Manoj Sinha addressed.
Arun Gupta said that the Chamber also appreciates the relentless efforts made by the Yuva Rajput Sabha for leading unabated agitation in this regard that has ultimately reached its logical conclusion.
Dogra Sadar Sabha chief and former minister Gulchain Singh Charak said Maharaja’s birth anniversary should be celebrated as “social justice day” because the ruler not only delivered justice to all, but also undertook great reforms.
Central Mahajan Sabha Jammu President, Romesh Chander Gupta and office bearers said it was a long pending demand of the public which has been fulfilled. Those who present includes, Shiv Partap Gupta, Sanjay Mahajan , Dr. Mohan Lal Gupta, Surinder Gupta, Balbir Gupta , Subash Gupta, C.P.Gupta, Mukesh Mahajan, Yash Pal Gupta and many more. President said that it is a real tribute to Maharaja as he was a great educationist, progressive thinker, social reformers and a towering man of ideas and ideals.
The announcement was made following Sinha’s meeting with a delegation comprising prominent political leaders, members of Yuva Rajput Sabha, civil society members, including head of Jammu and Kashmir transport union, at the Raj Bhavan on Thursday.
Karan Singh, son of Maharaja Hari Singh, had also earlier endorsed the demand of the locals to declare September 23 a public holiday.