Hari Singh, the legend

Sir,
It’s most shocking and shameful that a few legislators — the so-called lawmakers — staged a walkout from the Assembly on the mere mention of a holiday on the birthday of our erstwhile His Highness, Maharaja Hari Singh.
Our Maharaja was one of the best rulers among the 500 odd princes ruling the rest of India. This man was far ahead of his times and most emancipated among his contemporaries. He was the one who treated all Hindu sects, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians living in this state equally. When he assumed his office in 1925, he declared that his religion was equal justice to one and all. If at all there are any prominent landmarks visible in Kashmir, the credit goes to him. Construction of Bulevard, Dalgate, Weir, Gulmarg clubs, Amar Singh Club, huge Victorian style College buildings in the valley and Jammu region, speaks volumes of his cosmopolitan outlook and ingenious planning that was lacking in most of the contemporaries of his time. He was the one who engaged the best brains — be it from South India, Lahore, Britain or natives — to run his administration. Rule of law was at its zenith in his kingdom which even many senior KMs acknowledge now. On his patriotism and fearlessness, none can dispute the fact that he was the one who opposed the British, demanding freedom amidst the famous Round Table Conference held in London.
Of course, many among us question the fact why he delayed accession to India by 71 days and that too after the Pakistani tribesmen knocked at his door in Srinagar. We’re nor aware of his real predicament for postponement that caused a great deal of bloodshed to the helpless peace loving populace.
Digressing a little more, one can safely say that if Sheikh Abdullah claimed to be the undisputed leader of the then Kashmiri masses, the Maharaja was equally the most popular and reverend to the people living in Jammu region. If Sheikh Abdullah was honored with a holiday on his birthday, none raised a finger in the Jammu region, while a few miscreants have shamelessly staged a walkout to deny the Maharaja a right place in our history. Why this rigid dichotomy without any cogent rationale. May good sense prevail among his erstwhile subjects whom he adored much in his life time.
Yours etc…..
Tej Munshi
Jammu

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