Srinagar- The LG administration on Monday declared September 23, the birthday of last Dogra Maharaja, Hari Singh, as an annual holiday in Jammu and Kashmir.
The formal order declaring September 23, every year, as a public holiday was issued by Dr Piyush Singla on the directions of the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha on Monday.
“To commemorate the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh ji, 23rd of September every year shall be observed as a holiday in government offices and educational institutions across the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881,” the order reads.
Last week, Sinha announced the government’s decision to observe the birthday of the last Dogra ruler of J&K as a public holiday, keeping in view “the aspirations and feelings” of the people and the great contribution of the Maharaja.
“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 LG had said.
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.
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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