Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 16: Celebrations broke out at various places in Jammu today 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.
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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.
Amar Kshatriya Rajput Sabha celebrated declaration of public holiday on birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh with great enthusiasm at the Sabha Bhawan Jammu. The member of the Sabha Rangil Singh Jasrotia Senior Vice President, Jagdish Singh Vice President, Mangleshwar Singh General Secretary, MS Jamwal, Shamsher Singh Parihar, BS Jamwal and many others were present.
Er Ramesh Chander Mahajan Chairman and President of Kashmiri Khatri Hindu Maha Sabha has expressed heartfelt gratitude towards PM Narendra Modi, HM Amit Shah and UT J&K LG Manoj Sihna for declaring public holiday on the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) senior leader Rajesh Gupta expressed great happiness on the declaration of holiday on Maharaja Hari Singh’s birthday. He thanked LG Manoj Sinha for accepting Jammu’s long pending demand. He also extended his heartily greetings to the people of J&K.
The declaration of the holiday on the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh was celebrated at Akhnoor. KP Singh, Chairman of Raj Tilak Celebration Committee and on behalf of Tanda Tiger Forces applauded Yuva Rajput Sabha for leading an agitation and making the public aware of role of Maharaja as last ruler of J&K and expressed great gratitude to LG for this historic initiative of recognizing the services of a progressive and liberal ruler.
DDC Chairman Reasi Saraf Singh Nag has also welcomed the decision of declaration of holiday on birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh and also termed the decision as historic.
Mission Statehood celebrated the declaration of public holiday on the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh. Addressing the gathering, Sunil Dimple said this declaration of holiday is the victory of Dogras.
A meeting of office bearers of Central Mahajan Sabha Jammu was held under the chairmanship of its President Romesh Chander Gupta. The participants hailed the decision of the Government as it was long pending demand of the public. Shiv Partap Gupta, Sanjay Mahajan, Dr Mohan Lal Gupta, Surinder Gupta, Balbir Gupta, Subash Gupta, CP Gupta, Mukesh Mahajan, Yash Pal Gupta and many others were present in the meeting.
Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CCI) Jammu has welcomed the decision of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s announcement of the decision declaring a public holiday on the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh on 23rd September. In a statement, Arun Gupta, President CCI Jammu said that the Chamber also appreciates the relentless efforts made by the Yuva Rajput Sabha for leading unabated agitation in this regard that has ultimately reached its logical conclusion.
Former MLA Balwan Singh in presence of Lala Devi Dass, Marh President Ashwani Sharma, Ashok Bhagat, Chain Singh, Kuldeep Singh, Bishan Bharti, Sarpanch Jagdish and Saudagar Singh Saini President Mandal Phallian welcomed decision to announce public holiday on birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh. He termed it befitting reply to vision of Maharaja who held his citizens with high esteem, equality and justice.
Former Legislator and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Vikram Randhawa has welcomed the decision of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s announcement of the decision declaring a public holiday on the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh on 23rd September. In a statement, Randhawa said that he welcomes the decision as it was a long pending demand of the people of Jammu region. He expressed gratitude to the Lt Governor for the decision duly respecting the sentiments of Dogras.
President Former Wine Traders Association Jammu Charanjit Singh has welcomed the decision of declaration of holiday on birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh. He also expressed gratitude to Lt Governor for taking this historic decision.
DDC Chairman Reasi Saraf Singh Nag has also welcomed the decision of declaration of holiday on birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh and also termed the decision as historic.
Convener Panun Kashmir Dr Agnishekhar has also welcomed the decision of the Government for declaring holiday on the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh.
Chairman of Wool and Woollens Export Promotion Council (WWEPC), Ministry of Textile, Government of India has expresses gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for declaring the holiday on the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh.
Rastriya Hindu Vahini Jammu expressed gratitude to the PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Lt Governor Manoj Sinha for declaring the holiday on the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh. In this regard a grant function was organised. Speaking on the occasion, RHV National President, Vinay Hindu said that the holiday on this day is the victory of Dogras. J&K President RHV Rajinder Hindu, Sapna Hindu, Atulaya bakshi and Anju Dogra were also present.
The Kashmiri Pandit Sabha Jammu has welcomed the decision taken by the UT Government led by Lt Gov Manoj Sinha to include the birthday of Maharaja Hari Singh in the list of gazetted holidays to be observed in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir on September 23.
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