Excelsior Correspondent
LONDON, Oct 11: Voice of Dogras (VoD), an organization of Jammu and Kashmir Diaspora, commemorated the 121st birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh, the last ruler of Jammu and Kashmir, at the House of Common in the UK Parliament today.
The occasion was a unique opportunity to not only celebrate Maharaja Hari Singh’s legacy and contribution to Jammu and Kashmir but also provide insights into the history of Dogras and their role in assisting the UK in World War 1 and World War 2.
In the current situation with international focus on Jammu and Kashmir, this event was historical because it also witnessed participation of members of Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) community.
Speaking on the occasion, Bob Blackman, Conservative MP for Harrow East, who was the special guest, said, “we are delighted to host an event that honours the memory of Maharaja Hari Singh, the last ruler of Jammu & Kashmir. We look forward to the whole Jammu and Kashmir being reunited as the crowning glory of India”.
The event also put forth the much neglected perspective of PoJK Diaspora for the first time in the UK.
Providing an overview of the situation, Sameena Raja, a writer and activist from Mirpur area of PoJK said, “this is a misconception or an intentional manipulation of history to claim that Maharaja Hari Singh couldn’t defend his homeland against a few tribals from Pakistan in 1947 and acceded to India to save himself”, adding “in fact Maharaja Hari Singh only acceded to India to stop further slaughtering of innocent civilians at the hands of Pakistani armed forces and invading Tribals”.
“Had he not taken the timely step to accede to India not a single non Muslim would have been alive in the State of J&K”, Sameena Raja said.
Acknowledging the importance of such a commemorative event, Vikramaditya Singh, leader of People’s Democratic Party and grandson of Maharaja Hari Singh said, “the fact that the Dogra rulers successfully administered and held together people of such diverse culture, region and beliefs for 100 years (1846 to 1947) needs to be acknowledged and appreciated”, adding “as the grandson of the man who on his coronation day proclaimed, “Justice is my religion & all religions are mine”, I have always strived to keep these values alive”.
He further said that, “Maharaja Hari Singh has become an inspiration for thousands of people in Jammu province who are looking to regain lost pride and identity. I consider it my duty, not to get lost in an era gone by, but to use his values and symbols as inspiration to take our State forward”.
The event saw presentations by Dr Shabir Chowdhury from PoJK, who is also the Chairman Institute of Kashmir Affairs. Faria Atique, from PoJK and In Charge of Human Rights, UKPNP shared a personal account of the Maharaja’s times pre-1947.
Manu Khajuria, Founder Voice of Dogras and Freelance Writer presented paper on “Maharaja Hari Singh- More than a Hindu King who ruled over a Muslim majority State”. Lakshmi Kaul, Kashmiri Pandit leader also spoke on this occasion.
It is pertinent to mention here that Voice of Dogras is an organization attempting to bring back the lost narrative of Dogras of the Jammu region. It was founded by Manu Khajuria in early 2015 in London and has a growing member community across the world.
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