Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 18: Former MLC Vikramaditya Singh, and great grandson of Maharaja Hari Singh, Ran Vijay Singh, have demanded declaration of Maharaja Hari Singh’s birth anniversary, September 23, as a State holiday in J&K.
In a letter written to Union Home Minister (HM), Rajnath Singh, Vikramaditya said BJP-PDP coalition ruled the State for three years, but no step was taken in this direction despite the fact that I had called you last year apprising about the sentiments of the lakhs of people across Jammu region attached with Maharaja Hari Singh.
He said Maharaja Hari Singh was a visionary and forward thinking ruler, who brought about sweeping social reforms to uplift widows, girl children, dalits, farmers and society at large. His achievements in the fields of building flood channels, irrigation, wildlife and environmental protection, local industry, healthcare and education are unparalled, the MLC added.
“Maharaja Hari Singh built institutions including J&K Bank, J&K High Court and set up the board of Judicial Advisors with eminent jurists from across India, some of whom went on to draft the Indian Constitution. These became and remain pillars of strength even today”, he further added.
Stating that Maharaja Hari Singh was a true nationalist and is a hero and role model for lakhs of people in J&K, who draw inspiration from him even today, Vikramaditya urged Rajnath to honour the sentiments of people of J&K and announce September 23 as a State holiday.
Meanwhile, Ran Vijay Singh, great grandson of Maharaja Hari Singh also raised the demand of declaration of birth anniversary of Maharaja Ji as a State holiday.
While touring various villages, towns, cities and border areas of the State, Ran Vijay Singh assured the general public that birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh ji will be celebrated on coming September 23 like every year in the past and in future also, in order to pay homage to Maharaja Sahib and remember good works done by him.
Singh also stated that Government should declare the holiday on September 23, keeping in view the aspirations of the general public, as the resolution for declaration of the holiday on birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Ji Singh, which was moved by MK Ajatshatru Singh (MLC), already stands approved by the Legislative Council of J&K state.
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