Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 24: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a scathing attack on the National Conference (NC) leadership and J&K Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, accusing them of deliberately dishonouring the legacy of Maharaja Hari Singh by ignoring his birth anniversary celebrations.
Addressing a joint press conference at party headquarters, BJP J&K spokespersons Dr. Abhijeet Jasrotia, Dr Tahir Chowdhary and Zorawar Singh Jamwal, accused the NC leadership of showing “complete disregard” to the memory of the last Dogra ruler whose decision to accede Jammu and Kashmir to India ensured the region’s future as part of the Union.
Dr. Abhijeet Jasrotia said it was shameful that while people across Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh – Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and others alike – celebrated the Maharaja’s birth anniversary with joy, neither the Chief Minister nor NC leaders paid any meaningful tribute.
“The Maharaja’s stature is not dependent on a tweet. His legacy is far bigger than the tokenism shown by two Jammu Ministers of the present Government. Their silence shows they are drenched in the same divisive colours as the NC,” Jasrotia said.
Dr. Tahir Chowdhary underlined that Maharaja Hari Singh was a true secular ruler who treated all communities with respect. He said that Maharaja Hari Singh embraced his subjects as his own family, without fear or prejudice.
Zorawar Singh Jamwal said it was deeply ironic that while the people of Jammu and Kashmir observed the celebrations on the holiday, the Omar Abdullah-led Government held a Cabinet meeting on September 23.
“What emergency was there that required a Cabinet meeting on that day? If they really respected Maharaja Hari Singh, they should have begun their meeting with a tribute to him. This is a deliberate attempt to downgrade his contribution,” Jamwal charged.
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