On Maharaja's Birth anniversary, several Jammu groups to observe 'civil holiday'

JAMMU: As the the ruling coalition of PDP-BJP remains unmoved on declaring the birth anniversary of Last ruler of state Maharaja Hari Singh as a state holiday, a cluster of Jammu based non-political organisations have advised their employees to observe a civil holiday today, even as some schools in the region are reported to declare a voluntarily holiday on the occasion.
While the government has brushed aside the much-hyped demand by a number of Jammu based (Dogra) organisations cutting across party lines, caste, creed and religion to announce holiday on Last maharaja's birth anniversary falling on September 23, today, also ignoring the resolution passed in Upper House which was brought by none other than both the grandsons of last Maharaja of the state and also sitting Members of Legislative Council (MLC) from two of the coalition allies, the spirit of joy and jubilance is not deterred by it.
It is pertinent to mention here that in a historic step on January 24 this year, the State Legislative Council had passed the resolution to declare birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh's as State Holiday.
The grandson of late Maharaja Hari Singh and BJP MLC, Ajatshatru Singh moved a 'resolution' urging the Government to declare Sep 23, birthday of the Maharaja, as a State Holiday and the same was seconded by Vikramaditya Singh, a PDP MLC who also is grandson of Maharaja.
Whatever the governments has in its mind, several social and business organisations from Jammu to London including Chamber of Traders Federation, Shri Amar Kshtriya Rajput Sabha J&K, Team Jammu, Bar Association of Jammu, Chamber of Commerce and Industries followed by many others in Jammu and Voice of Dogras in London are all set to celebrate Maharaja's birth anniversary with great enthusiasm.
The celebrations include distribution of sweets and taking out rallies throughout the Jammu region while Team Jammu which has vigorously raised the demands is organising such programmes at 75 different locations across the Jammu province.
Meanwhile Voice of Dogras, an organsation of Dogras settled in UK settled in UK will be holding a memorial ceremony to pay homage and respects to late Maharaja Hari Singh in London by reading a book about him.
The party which got mandate in Jammu, BJP had earlier released a written statement saying they have demanded state holiday on September 23.
BJP state spokesperson Prof. Virender Gupta said that Dogra rule in the state can be considered as a Golden Era in the state's history and BJP is supporting this demand despite that government has remained undecided over the issue till date.
When attempted to contact and seek the first reaction of both the grandsons of Maharaja, both MLCs Vikramaditya Singh and Ajatshatru Singh remained out of reach as they didn't respond to repeated calls.