Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 16: PDP MLC and scion of erstwhile royal Dogra family, Vikramaditya Singh has appealed Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to announce State holiday on birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh, which falls on September 23.
In an open letter to the CM, the PDP MLC has said that announcing State holiday on the birth anniversary of a person of distinguished accomplishments will not only be a fitting tribute to him, but more significantly, it would mean honoring and respecting the strong sentiments of the people of Jammu region.
“As Chief Minister, you will not only win the hearts of the people of Jammu, but also help in reducing the growing regional divide and barriers between Jammu & Kashmir regions, as our late Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Syed always desired,” he has said while referring to the demand, which is being supported by all section of society, communities and the public at large.
“As a representative of the people and your MLC, it is my duty to bring to your attention that even today, there are very strong sentiments attached with Maharaja Hari Singh ji, especially when it comes to the foresighted and progressive social reforms and development works that were undertaken during his rule as Maharaja. It is important to add that his reforms cut across social, religious, caste and gender barriers to impart justice to all. There is perhaps no field of administration that he did not impact positively, be it, healthcare, education, forests & environment, irrigation canals & flood protection channels, wildlife & fisheries, horticulture, sericulture etc,” he said in the letter and particularly mentioned about free education to girls, banning child marriage, ‘Sati’, encouraging re-marriage of widows and above all signing the ‘Instrument of Accession’ in 1947 thus making J&K a part of India.
Vikramaditya Singh has also drawn attention towards the resolution passed by the Legislative Council in February this year that supported the declaration of State holiday on birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh and added that more recently, all political parties in J&K have publically spoken in favour of Maharaja Hari Singh’s contributions to our State and supported the call for State holiday.
Follow our WhatsApp channel