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Maharaja wanted to be independent

Sir,

This is with reference to the press conference of Captain Dewan Singh published in DE 2.11.99. The statements given in your paper by Captain Dewan Singh are half truths. It is true that Maharaja Hari Singh did not want to join Pakistan but at the same time it is not true that he wanted to join India.

He simply wanted to be Independent with close ties with Pakistan. His Prime Minister Ram Chand Kak, Chief of Staff of State Forces General Scot. Inspector General of Police Powell and Sant Dev a religious person were working for the Independence of the State at the instance of Hari Singh himself. Ram Chand Kak was appointed as Prime Minister by the Maharaja and was not elected by the legislature so that he could decide on major policies like accession on his/own without the concurrence of the Maharaja. Captain Dewan Singh in the press conference has stated that their was some delay in the accession without assigning any reasons. The reason were obvious that he/Maharaja wanted to be independent; and after Pakistan attacked his state defeated his state forces, he was forced under duress to accede to India and ask for military help. Had Pakistan not attacked his state Maharaja would not have joined India even on 26.10.47 Captain Dewan Singh has shifted the blame from Maharaja to Ram Chand Kak because the latter was a Kashmiri Pandits. The hatered of Jammu Rajputs for Kashmiri Pandits is well known.

The Maharaja at the time of Pakistani invasion on his state might have put on military uniform and carried a pistol like Castro of Cuba or Sadam of Iraq but he never flew to Srinagar at that time. Infact he was very much in Srinagar prior to the attack on Domel by Pakistan on 22.10.47 and remained there till 25.10.47. He attended Dussehra Durbar at Srinagar and received Nazranas from the serving and retired officers of the State Mohara power house was occupied by Pakistani raiders on Dussehra Day itself. The Lights went off in Srinagar immediately after Dussehra Darbar was concluded. He left Srinagar by road on 25.10.47 night and never returned to Srinagar after that day.

Yours etc...
Abdul Majid Rather
Navid Yar, Rainawari Srinagar.

Dowry demand

Sir,

Dowry is the worst type of social evil. So many chapters have been written on this topic. Number of discussions and debates have been organised regarding this social disease which I think, is worst than Cancer. This disease has spread all over the society and only God can save us from this. Nobody lags behind and everyone tries to give his daughter one item more than what his neighbour or some relative has given to his daughter. Till recently, it was limited to some items. But now it has gone so many steps ahead. Different models of Maruti cars, colour TVs, Cash Certificates, Scooters and other luxurious items have reflected the low cost utensils. Besides, plots of land are also gifted to the bridegroom. Recently, I attended a marriage of a middle class family where I was surprised rather pained to see the arrangement made by them. On the arrival of Barat, they were served with chicken and other delicious varieties. Later on again chicken and 5-6 varieties of meat was served at lunch. Children and elders were given the same treatment. Most of the guests could not eat all the varieties prepared for them, not to speak of children. Most of the food and varieties prepared was wasted. No doubt, dogs present there may have enjoyed the marriage party. I was very much stunned to see all this and even shocked to see when the bridegroom was offered the keys of Maruti 800, a cheque (do not know the amount) and papers of a plot. I do not know why all this pomp and show. Where does the simplicity has gone and where from this trend has come in our society. We all know the result of this excess dowry. These parents are themselves responsible for spoiling the life of their children. If one asks the question about such huge amount spent on marriage, the answer is simply ''Demand''. I am surprised why these parents arrange such marriages. Why dont they negate the marriage of their daughter with such a greedy man who even after getting everything goes on demanding one or the other thing and ultimate result comes before us, either burning of the girl or sending back the girl to her parents. I appeal to all the respected parents of our society not to spoil the life of their children by adopting this menace. Come forward and say ''No'' to Dowry. If your want to give something to your girl child, give her the education so that she can stand hard before the examination of life and is not an easy prey to so called Dhanwans.

Yours etc...
Surjeet Singh
33-Suthra Shahi
Srinagar.

Power shortage in J&K

Sir,

The frequent power cuts in this state are definitely affecting the people of J&K, particularly the student community.

One wonders a state having so much of power generating potential has been under periodic darkness since long and it is the student community who are the most affected. It is disgusting that even Chief Minister is not keen to solve this burning problem.

The main question is who is responsible for these power cuts.

Are the VIPs involve i.e. the state ministers who are never touched by the invigilatory staff. In the preamble of constitution even the heads of the state are bound to pay the taxes due to them. But unfortunately our state ministers I think are unaware of this fact and have not paid their power taxes since long. The taxes due to them can certainly help Government in overcoming financial crunch.

The employees of the power department are also responsible for creating this problem.

They don't clear their power tariff which they collect from consumers. They even go to the extent of earning money for themselves from the government property i.e. electricity.

The consumers who are sufferers cannot absolve themselves of the blame. Had they been cooperating honestly the present miserable state of power crisis would have been mitigated upto a considerable extent.

The Government as expected blames the consumers and gives a clear chit to the ministers and other bureaucrats who have never been able to clear their dues. The Government blames that the centres half heartedness in not getting the State out of the present financial crunch is responsible for such a situation. This is not true. The fact lies somewhere else- in management. There has been widespread condemnation over these power cuts. Various social and political organisations have been demanding that period of power cuts be reduced.

So, the Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah must solve the problem at an early date and make it clear to his ministers and bureaucrats to pay the taxes to improve the power situation. He must make sure that the public and the industrial sector do not mis-use the electricity purchased at the cost of our developmental works.

Yours etc...
Shariq Majeed
Mohalla Masjid
Bhaderwah