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.
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.
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.
It Was To Respect Sentiments Of Jammu People: LG
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha meanwhile said on Friday that the decision to declare the birthday of Maharaja Hari Singh as a public holiday was taken respecting the sentiments of the local people.
“Respecting the sentiments of the local people, this decision has been taken in view of the contributions of late Maharaja Hari Singh. I expect the official orders to be issued in a few days,” the Lt Gov said.
“The government has taken a decision to declare Maharaja Hari Singh Ji’s birthday as a public holiday. 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,” the Lieutenant Governor observed.
Pertinently, on the directions of Lt Governor, a four-member committee was constituted by the UT administration earlier this year to examine the public demand regarding the holiday on the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh.
Maharaja Hari Singh was the last ruling Maharaja of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Interestingly LG administration removed 13 July as a state holiday from the official calendar soon after the Article 370 was scrapped on 5 August 2019. The erstwhile state of J&K observed ‘Martyrs’ Day’ on 13 July as a state holiday to mark the beginning of protest movement against the rule of Maharaja Hari Singh. (With Inputs From PTI)
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