Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 21: Many social, political, trade, transport, youth and students organizations besides SGPB and High Court Bar Association, have unanimously resolved to jointly celebrate Birthday of Maharja Hari Singh on September 23 and also strongly condemned the State Government for not declaring holiday on the birth anniversary of last Dogra ruler of the State.
In a joint press conference here today heads of these including Associated Chamber of Traders Federation Jammu, SGPB, JPPF, Rajput Sabha, Brahman Sabha and others reiterated that an ultimatum was given by Chamber of Traders Federation and Shri Amar Kshtriya Rajput Sabha J&K for declaration of holiday on birth anniversary of Late Maharaja Hari Singh and abolition of toll tax. “We all were expecting good news in this regard on the eve of Navratras, but it is regretted that Govt has not taken both the issues seriously therefore it seems that the Govt has ignored both the popular demands of the public.”
“We the members of the civil society would like to apprise that both the demands are very genuine and connected with the masses, the declaration of holiday is connected with the sentiments of the masses whereas, abolition of toll tax is effecting economically each and every citizen of the state, Govt’s ignorance on the both the issue is condemned widely by the general public across the State whereas, the other gazetted holidays are under severe criticism in the public domain,” they maintained.
Neeraj Anand, president, CTF added they are going to chalk out further strategy to take up both the issues in every nook and corner and will leave no stone unturned to get both the demands fulfilled. Many organisations have decided to join hand for it and launch united struggle.
They disclosed that the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh will be celebrated September 23 and in this connection a large rally will start from Thakkar Sabha Dogra Hall at 10 AM. The sweets will be distributed and houses will be lighted up with candles. The employees from Jammu region are requested to observe mass casual leave to pay rich tributes to late Maharaja.
Regarding abolition of Toll Tax a strategy shall be formulated which shall be communicated to the masses in due course of time.
The prominent heads of the different organizations those who were present in the press conference were, Paviter Singh (President JPPF), BS Slathia, (President High Court Bar Association Jammu), TS Wazir (Chairman State Gurdwara Prabandhak Board & Transport Associations), Narayan Singh (President Amar Kshtriya Rajput Sabha J&K), Ved Prakash (President Dogra, Brahman Pratinidhi Sabha), Chander Gulati (Chairman Auto Mobile Dealers Association), Zorawar Singh (President Team Jammu), Labba Ram Gandhi, (President West Pakistani Refugee Action Committee), MS Katoch (President Association of Para Medical Colleges), Kailash Nath Nagar (President Plywood Dealers Association Jammu), Dinesh Gupta (President Electric Dealers Asso-ciation Jammu), Tushar Mahajan (President Fire Crackers Sellers Associa-tion Jammu), Narinder Dutt, (General Secy Megh Sudhar Sabha) and others.
Exhorting the State Govt to immediately honour the resolution adopted by the State Legislative Council in letter and spirit regarding announcement of September 23 as a State holiday to commemorate Maharaja Hari Singh’s Birthday, NPP chairman Harsh Dev Singh cautioned that dilly dally on the subject could have serious ramifications for which BJP shall be squarely responsible.
Describing the revered Maharaja as a symbol of Dogra pride and honour, Harsh Dev described the late ruler as an enlightened secular personality and a great patriot who shall always be remembered for signing the historic Instrument of Accession on 26th October, 1947 by virtue of which the State of J&K was integrated with the rest of India. He said that announcement of September 23 as State holiday had been a long cherished demand of all the social and political organizations which also remained as BJP’s one of the prime agendas in their successive manifesto.
He strongly advocated the immediate declaration of Sept 23 as State holiday as a token of befitting homage to the legendary Maharaja.
Hindu Shiv Sena Jammu Kashmir unit by Krishan Singh Manhas, Senior Citizens Welfare Forum Katra led by Shiv Kumar Sharma and National Democratic Party led by Ravi Bakshi also demanded holiday on Sept 23 and resolved to celebrate the occasion with great enthusiasm. They extended full support to the Joint Forum framed for the common cause.
Meanwhile, BJP has called upon the State Government to declare State holiday on September 23 while recognizing the contribution of Maharaja Hari Singh in the development of State, for providing justice to all the communities of the state without any differentiation on the basis of religion, region, caste and creed. During his rein he initiated large number of reformist measures, taken steps to ensure public involvement in the State administration by constituting Praja Sabha.
BJP State spokesperson Prof Virender Gupta said that Dogra rule in the State can be considered as a Golden period in the state history. It provided a responsible and welfare government. He further added that people of the state, particularly those of the valley who were subjected to lot of depressive and tyranny measures during the previous rulers of Mughals and Pathans clan got a relief under Dogra period.
The spokesperson appealed to the Chief Minister to declare state holiday on September 23 to honour the emotions and sentiments of Dogras and public in large of the J&K state.
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