HOLIDAY ON MAHARAJA’S BIRTH ANNIVERSARY; NC IN DILEMMA
Special Correspondent
JAMMU: The mainstream opposition National Conference on Friday played a double card on resolution passed in the Legislative Council to declare holiday on 23rd September, the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh, as the opposition members staged walkout from the Upper House terming the resolution as ‘undemocratic’ but supported it in the Legislative Assembly amid din.
Maharaja’s grandson MLC Ajatshatru Singh from BJP tabled the resolution in the House on January 24, which was seconded by another grandson Vikramaditya Singh of PDP to declare holiday on September 23, the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh.
Mainstream opposition National Conference today protested against the passage of a resolution and staged walked out from the Legislative Council demanding its withdrawal and saying that it was undemocratic and violation of rules. As soon as the House assembled, NC MLC B.A Veeri along with other party members stood up and protested ed against the passage of the resolution.
“We were boycotting the House that day. It was adjourned for a brief period. In the meantime, the ruling members came out, took some of their members to the House to complete the quorum and the resolution was passed.
“It was passed in undemocratic, unconstitutional and in violation of the rules and business procedures of the House,” he said.
The NC member said the resolution should be withdrawn as it was passed in violations of rules and in undemocratic way. After a brief protest, NC members staged a walkout.
Later, speaking to reporters, he said, 22 people were killed in central jail by the Maharaja’s forces on July 13. “We celebrate it as Martyr’s day. How can you declared a holiday in the name of those, who are instrumental in massacre? We are opposed to it. We walked-out from the house after protests. Our demand is that the resolution should be withdrawn as it has no locus standi,” Veeri said.
After about 55 years of the death of State’s last Maharaja, Hari Singh, the State Legislative Council passed a resolution to declare his birthday, September 23, as a State holiday. Hari Singh was born on September 23, 1895 and died on April 26, 1961 at the age of 65. He had signed the Instrument of Accession of J&K to India in 1947 after Pakistani army and raiders attacked the State.
Meanwhile in the Legislative Assembly Independent MLA from Langate, Abdul Rashid lashed out at NC and PDP for their double standards and asked both the parties to come clean over role of Maharaja in the history of State.
“It is unfortunate while NC has been exploiting people of the State since 1947 to get dividends of Late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah’s fight against Maharaja, Omar Abdullah as Chief Minister in 2014, raised a memorial of the Maharaja in Jammu city,” he said adding that the NC MLA from Jammu Devender Singh Rana is openly supporting the resolution seeking holiday on Maharaja’s birth anniversary.
Rana however, said that the sentiment of people of Jammu and the Dogras should be respected.
Devender Singh Rana told reporters later that the resolution reflects sentiments of the people of Jammu and he respects their sentiments.
Meanwhile NC MLAs Ali Mohammad Sagar and Mohammad Akbar Lone expressed that views of Rana are his personal but slammed Rashid for raising finger at Omar Abdullah for setting up memorial of Maharaja.
“Abdullah and Rana should apologise in public,” Rashid added and questioned that how can those killed by the Maharaja be the martyrs and at the same time, Maharaja is also declared hero.
The MLA also asked BJP to come clean on their stand that why they do not attend Martyrs Day function on July 13, every year.
He also asked PDP to explain that if BJP does not offer homage to Martyrs then it is an insult to those martyrs.
Education Minister and Leader of the House, Naeem Akhtar spoke about the Maharaja but asked Ajatshatru to withdraw the resolution, assuring him that his proposal could be considered. But Ajatshatru pressed for the resolution, following which it was passed by voice vote even though Khursheed Alam of PDP opposed it. “We are very happy. Passage of this resolution in the Upper House is a welcome sign in restoration of the glory of Maharaja Hari Singh,” Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh said. “He is a symbol of the nation and vicious campaigns have dented his image. This is the first step towards restoring the image of the great visionary and people’s Maharaja,” he said.
