Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 31: Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today said that Jammu & Kashmir takes pride in having a harmonious society for which the people of the State deserve all accolades.
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Addressing gathering at a grand religious function organized in connection with the birth anniversary of Guru Ravi Dass Ji Maharaj at Krishna Nagar, Canal Road here today, the Chief Minister said that people of the State have been exemplifying harmony, tolerance and brotherhood. This, she said, is something which ought to be celebrated and given the acrimony that has crept in the social fabric all across the globe. She specifically hailed the people living in Jammu for upholding these ancient traditions with grace, despite provocations.
Paying rich tributes to Guru Ravi Dass, Mehbooba Mufti said the Late Saint lived for upholding the values of brotherhood and equality in the society and urged the people to rise above the narrow barriers of caste, colour, region and religion to work for human values.
Asking the people to follow the teachings of Guru Ravi Dass Ji, the Chief Minister said the lessons from the life of the great saint are more relevant today than earlier times given the strain in social fabric of our times. She said the best tribute to the late saint is that we work dedicatedly for creating a castless society based on the principles of equality and justice.
Minister for Public Works (R&B), Naeem Akhtar; Rajesh Gupta ( MLA Jammu East) Sukhnandan Choudhary (MLA Marh), Vice Chairman, SC Board- Bhushan Dogra, former legislator/ minister BR Kundal and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
State BJP chief and MLA Jammu West, Sat Sharma also attended the function but he left earlier. They all paid floral tributes to Guru Ravi Dass ji Maharaj.
Earlier, All J&K Guru Ravi Dass Sabha president, Piran Ditta welcomed the Chief Minister and other dignitaries. He submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister demanding establishment of IAS/KAS Academy for the SC community candidates under SC Welfare Board where community students could get free coaching and setting up of Dispensary/ Hospital in the Guru Ravi Dass complex at Krishna Nagar. He also offered to provide space for the Academy in the same premises.
The Chief Minister assured to discuss the issue with the concerned officers and take note of their demands. Several senior members of All J&K Guru Ravi Dass Sabha including Rajpal Hans, Raj Kumar and Darshan Lal Angral also shared the dais.
During the address by the Chief Minister 2-3 youth stood up and raised pro-reservation slogans. They tried to disrupt the address but were overpowered by the policemen and also thrashed by some local youth. They were dragged out of the venue.
A large number of people including women and children attended this annual programme. Bhajan- Kirtan was also performed since this morning. Hundreds of people thronged the temple of Guru Ravi Dass ji since morning and offered special prayers.
Another function was held at Vijaypur under the banner of National Union of Backward Classes where large number of members from SC,ST and OBC classes participated. Senior trade union leader RK Kalsotra and other organizers distributed blankets among the poor on the occasion. They also threw light on the life of this great saint and asked the people to follow his teachings.
Reports of celebrations of birth anniversary of Guru Ravi Dass ji Maharaj have also received from other parts of the region.
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