BJP cheated Jammu over holiday on 23rd September: Harsh Dev
Jammu: Flaying the BJP govt for disregarding the sentiment of Jammu people with respect to announcement of September 23rd as a State holiday to commemorate Maharaja Hari Singh’s birthday, Mr. Harsh Dev Singh Chairman-JKNPP and former Minister today said that NPP activists would welcome the central Ministers with black flags in case the announcement for holiday was not made before the said date. He was addressing a press conference in Jammu today.
While speaking to media, Mr. Harsh Dev Singh described Maharaja Hari Singh as one of the greatest nationalists and Indian patriot who had challenged the British Crown in 1931 at Round Table Conference in London declaring that, “I am an Indian first and then a Maharaja”. He said that the revered Maharaja shall always be remembered for showcasing his nationalistic ethos when he acceded the State of J&K to the Union of India by signing the historic Instrument of Accession of 26th October, 1947. He further maintained that Maharaja Hari Singh was the most progressive ruler of princely India and declaration of his birthday as State holiday would have been a befitting tribute to the legendary ruler which was long overdue.
Regretting the opposition to the holiday in previous govt despite resolution to the effect having been passed in legislative council, Mr. Singh deplored in particular the cowardly posturing of BJP Ministers in coalition govt who failed to get the same implemented inspite of the said resolution having the backing of legislative authority. “Maharaja Hari Singh was the icon of secularism and modern democracy who introduced several social reforms in the fields of Judiciary, Education, Revenue, Finance etc. His contribution towards women empowerment, alleviation of racial discrimination on the basis of caste, creed and colour was impeccable and visionary”, added Singh. He called upon the central visiting Ministers to announce holiday for 23rd September if they had any respect for the sentiments of the people of Jammu. If a huge battalion of 70 central Ministers comprising almost the entire union cabinet could not fulfill a simple demand of the people of the Jammu region, they had no right to approach the people during elections for votes, asserted Mr. Singh.
Recalling the historic role of the late ruler, Mr. Harsh Dev Singh said it was due to the far sightedness and the administrative capabilities of Maharaja that the nefarious game plan of Pakistan of grabbing J&K was foiled and defeated. He said that the prudent ruler earned worldwide accolades for his progressive reforms in the fields of Judiciary, Education, Revenue, Finance etc.
Mrs. Manju Singh (General Secretary-JKNPP), Mr. Surinder Chouhan (District President Jammu Rural) and Mrs. Anita Choudhary were also present in the press conference.
