Anger is brewing among people across Jammu region against the BJP-PDP alliance Government over causing undue delay in announcing State holiday on the occasion of birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh, last dogra ruler of erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir who had signed Instrument of Accession on October 26, 1947 before acceding to the Dominion of India.
As another birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh is approaching clamour is growing in support of the demand from different quarters but dilly dallying by the alliance partners has already created a piquant situation. The State unit of the BJP is clueless and not in a position to comment whether the State Govt headed by PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti is going to consider the common demand of people across Jammu region.
To pressurise the State Government in support of conceding their demands, including a State holiday on September 23, Chamber of Commerce and Industries in Jammu has already issued a day long bandh call on September 18. Several other socio-politico organisations and Jammu based political parties are supporting the demand.
PDP MlC Vikramaditya Singh, grandson of Maharaja Hari Singh, has also shot off an open letter to the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti urging her to declare the state holiday on September 23.
Opposition leaders from the Congress and National Conference,hailing from Jammu, have supported the demand for a holiday on September 23.
In his open letter Singh wrote, “As a representative of the people and your MlC it is my duty to bring in to your attention that even today there are very strong sentiments attached with Maharaja Hari Singh especially when it comes to the foresighted and progressive social reforms and development works that were undertaken during his rule as Maharaja” .
“As Chief Minister you will not only win the hearts of the people of Jammu but also help in reducing the growing regional divide and barriers between Jammu & Kashmir regions as desired by former CM Mufti Mohd Sayeed”, Singh wrote in his open letter while batting for a state holiday.
Earlier on 24 January, 2017 the Upper House of the Jammu & Kashmir State legislature had adopted a historic resolution recommending a State holiday on September 23.
The resolution was moved by Ajatshatru Singh, grandson of Maharaja Hari Singh and a BJP member in the Upper House.