Accession Day to be permanent feature in JK UT: Prof Agnihotri

Scholars lighting the lamp during a seminar on Accession Day at Jammu University. -Excelsior/Rakesh
Scholars lighting the lamp during a seminar on Accession Day at Jammu University. -Excelsior/Rakesh

‘Confer Bharat Ratna to Brig Rajinder Singh’

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 27: The reports of celebration of Accession Day with much fan fare and enthusiasm in different parts of Jammu region have been received on the second day today.

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To celebrate the Accession Day J&K Study Centre held a function at Brig Rajinder Singh Auditorium at Jammu University which was presided over by Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Manoj Dhar.
While speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor of Central University, Himachal Pradesh, Prof (Dr) Kuldeep Agnihotri expressed his satisfaction over decision of the J&K Government to declare October 26 as public holiday. He said that after abrogation of Article 370 and 35-A, celebrating Accession Day will be the permanent feature in the Union Territory of J&K.
Prof Agnihotri said that first stem to merge J&K with Indian Union was taken by Maharaja Hari Singh after signing Instrument of Accession. The second and final step was taken by the Parliament on August 5, 2019 by abrogating Article 370, which was temporary in character.
While terming accession as full and final, Prof Agnihotri called for celebrating October 26 as Accession Day every year as a mark of respect to Maharaja Hari Singh.
Hailing Maharaja Hari Singh for signing Instrument of Accession, he said Maharaja was great votary of joining Indian Union that he opposed Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah and Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru who favoured that 1846 treaty be made null and avoid to make J&K part of British India and if it would have happened the J&K would never have been part of India.
In his presidential address, Vice Chancellor of Jammu University, Prof Manoj Dhar hailed Jammu-Kashmir Study Centre for organizing a function on the auspicious occasion of Accession Day. The Vice-Chancellor further appreciated JKSC for picking up important subjects for research and other studies.
Vice president of JKSC, J&K chapter, Prof Varinder Kundal presented vote of thanks in the function.
Later activists of JKSC, comprising university teachers, journalists, lawyers, members of the civil society, took out a march from Jammu University which culminated at the statue of Maharaja Hari Singh on the Tawi bridge where tributes were paid o the greater ruler.
The J&K Accession Celebration Committee organized a historic meeting at Press Club, Jammu today. This function was headed by Prof. Gulchain Singh Charak. Several senior political and social leaders addressed the celebration get-together paying tributes to Maharaja Hari Singh who had signed the Instrument of Accession of J&K on October 26, 1947 on the accession document which was brought by V.P. Menon, the then Secretary in Indian Government under Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Prof Bhim Singh supremo Panthers’ Party in his address informed that it was Brig Rajinder Singh who had played heroic role to defend J&K with over 100 Dogra soldiers at the borders. It was Brig Rajinder Singh who made the accession of J&K with India possible. He urged President of India to award Bharat Ratna and highest defence award to Brig Rajinder Singh.
Prof Bhim Singh urged the President of India to direct the Parliament to take the issue of annexation of J&K with the Union of India while approving the Instrument of Accession in its capacity as the Constituent Assembly.
Balwant Singh Mankotia, convenor of Accession Day Session expressed thanks to all participants.
In connection to celebration of Accession Day a Tiranga rally on bikes was organized by BJYM under the leadership of Sushant in Udhampur in which a large number of activists participated. It passed through various parts of the town. Earlier speaking to media Pawan Khajuria, vice president State BJP said the Modi Government deserves all Kudos in bringing a basic change in J&K by abrogating controversial Article 370 and 35-A and silencing the voice of secessionist forces once for all.
Director School Education Jammu (DSEJ) organized a panel discussion and other weekly activities to celebrate the Accession Day to make the young generation aware about the glorious history of J&K. The panel discussion was organised by DSEJ Jammu’s Cultural and Educational Cell on the topic J&K the Crown of India in which Director School Education, Jammu Anuradha Gupta was the chief guest. Various scholars and educationists included former Army officers participated.
BJP OBC Morcha JK UT celebrated the Accession Day across Jammu Kashmir with high enthusiasm at various places. The main function was organised at Neta Ji Subash Chander Chowk, Bakshi Nagar here. The function was organised under the supervision of Kewal Verma, district president of Morcha for Jammu West in which MP Jugal Kishore Sharma former BJP president , Sat Sharma, Mayor JMC, C M Gupta , All Morcha Incharge Muish Sharma , Braham Jyot Satti, president BJP OBC Morcha J&K were guests on the occasion. The leaders paid floral tributes to Maharaja Hari Singh and also distributes sweets among the people. They threw light on the historic significance of the day.
Tiranga bike rally was also organised by Panthers Party at Udhampur which started from Mini Stadium and passed through Gole Market, Chabutra Bazar, and concluded at Slathia Chowk. While leading the rally former MLA and president JKNPP, Balwant Singh Mankotia said that every citizen of J&K is ready to give sacrifice for his nation. He said the huge Tiranga rally is befitting reply to those Kashmiri leaders who give anti national statements.