Jammu intelligentsia demands holiday on Maharaja Hari Singh birth anniversary

Jammu, Sep 20 : Two days ahead of Maharaja Hari Singh birth anniversary, the speakers at a seminar here on Thursday demanded holiday as a mark of respect and tribute to the last ruler of Dogras.

A seminar titled ‘Sade Maharaj Hari Singh Ji’ organised by “Khand Mithe Log Dogre” – a body promoting rich culture of Dogras—here this morning also announced ‘Shan-e-Duggar’ awards for the personalities from Jammu having achievements in different fields.

Meanwhile, speaking on the occasion, President of the Bar Association of Jammu, BS Slathia, said that holding seminars and debates of saving ‘Dogriyat’ has become a compulsion in the present scenario.

He said that it is only because of Maharaja Hari Singh, that the state of Jammu and Kashmir became an integral part of India.

“Many Kashmir centric forces tried to wash out our history from records but truth cannot be hidden,” said Mr Slathia adding that the Maharaja introduced Infant Marriage Act, the Untouchabilty Act and many others to safeguard the people of this princely state.

On October 26, Maharaja Hari Singh wrote a letter to the Union of India for Accession and on October 27, he signed the instrument of accession in 1947 to save the state.

He however, appealed to the youth to unite irrespective of caste, colour and creed to save the Dogra dynasty from the hands of Kashmiri manipulators.”

Team Jammu Chairman Zorawar Singh Jamwal threw light on the life history of Maharaja Hari Singh and said that the Maharaja not only worked for the upliftment and betterment of the society but he was also an example of secularism.

Many political parties now are beating the drums of ‘Beti Padhao, Beti Bachao’, but Maharaja Hari Singh in 1931, brought laws to save girl child, right to education.

“We are proud Indians only because of Maharaja Hari Singh as his contributions towards the society are unforgettable. We all are indebted to him,” he said.

He added that leaving aside all political aspirations, Jammu must demand a holiday on 23 September—the birth anniversary of Maharja Hari Singh—the last ruler of Dogra Dynasty.

JKNPP President Balwant Singh Mankotia in his address said that it was only because of Maharaja Hari Singh that Jammu and Kashmir was a part of world’s largest democratic set up.