Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 3: The Dogra Sadar Sabha has demanded commemoration of Maharaja Hari Singh’s birth anniversary on 23th September every year as ‘Samajik Nayaya Divas’ or ‘Social Justice Day’ in view of his historical commitment to provide Justice to all irrespective of caste, creed or faith.
The demand was made during a press conference, here today, by Th Gulchain Singh Charak, former Minister, and President, Dogra Sadar Sabha, J&K. He stated that this was decided in a meeting of the Core Group of DSS and prominent citizens wherein it was recounted that in his iconic coronation speech in the first Durbar on his accession in 1925, he had categorically announced that “For me all communities, religions and races are equal. All religions are mine and Justice is my Religion”.
Charak said that Maharaja Hari Singh’s approach being that of a modern ruler, dedicated to gradual democratization and eradicating illiteracy, social evils and inequality, endeared him to all the subjects of the then Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir irrespective of class, religion, gender or region. He emphasized that it would be a befitting tribute to the Late Maharaja’s memory to commemorate his birth anniversary as Social Justice Day, and appealed to all social and political organizations who value his landmark contributions to join hands in the efforts to make such commemoration an annual feature. He also reiterated the demand to declare 23rd September a holiday in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Charak also drew attention towards decision of the UT Administration to keep the Secretariat fully functional at Jammu as well as Srinagar, which is expected to result in more convenient resolution of problems of people of both the provinces of the UT. “However, the Secretariat at Jammu is not yet fully functional as the vacancies therein reportedly continue to lie vacant despite lapse of a considerable period of time,” he said and demanded that the vacant posts in the Secretariat in Jammu be filled up by posting of officers from the field for early resolution of the problems of the people of Jammu, and effective monitoring of the developmental works.