Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 1: Flaying the erstwhile BJP-PDP alliance for disregarding the sentiment of Jammu people with respect to announcement of September 23 as a State holiday to commemorate Maharaja Hari Singh’s birthday, J&K National Panthers Party (JKNPP) today appealed Governor S P Malik to honour the aspirations of Dogras over the subject.
A strong contingent of Panther activists spearheaded by Harsh Dev Singh, chairman, JKNPP and Yash Paul Kundal, State president, Young Panthers and other leaders staged a vociferous protest demonstration at Exhibition Ground Jammu. They raised slogans against BJP-PDP, NC-Congress Governments for their delay and deny tactics over the issue.
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While addressing the media, Harsh Dev Singh described Maharaja Hari Singh as one of the greatest nationalists and Indian patriot who had challenged the British Crown in 1931 at Round Table Conference in London declaring that, “I am an Indian first and then a Maharaja”. He said that the revered Maharaja shall always be remembered for showcasing his nationalistic ethos when he acceded the State of J&K to the Union of India by signing the historic Instrument of Accession of 26th October, 1947.
He further maintained that Maharaja Hari Singh was the most progressive rule of princely India and declaration of his birthday as State holiday would be a befitting tribute to the legendary ruler which was long overdue.
Regretting the opposition to the holiday in previous Government despite resolution to the effect having been passed in Legislative Council, Singh deplored in particular the cowardly posturing of BJP Ministers who failed to get the same implemented despite the resolution having the backing of legislative authority.
Flaying the BJP Ministers of maintaining a criminal silence over the issue, Singh cautioned the State Government that the policy of delay and deny on the subject could have serious ramifications. He said that since all the nationalist people of the State and the country were eagerly waiting for the announcement of the Gov’s decision on holiday, any move to scuttle the resolution could lead to disastrous consequences beyond redemption.
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