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Declare Sept 23rd a state Holiday: JKHCBAJ to govt

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 9/17/2017 1:25:30 PM

JAMMU, Sep 16: The J&K High Court Bar Association, Jammu (JKHCBAJ), today pleased when the J&K Legislative Council adopted a historic resolution seeking declaration of state holiday to recognize the Maharaja Hari Singh’s momentous decision to accede his state to the Indian Dominion.
“It had hoped that the J&K government would complete all the required formalities and appreciate the sentiments of the people of the state by declaring by now September 23rd a state holiday under the Instrument of Negotiable Act,” this was stated here today by the president of the JKHCBAJ BS Slathia while addressing a press conference.
Slathia expressed regret that the state government has done nothing to recognize the splendid contribution of Maharaja Hari Singh to the development of the state by giving an effect to the council resolution. He added that the inaction on the part of the concerned authorities has disappointed and shocked the people of the state.
He further asserted that J&K was one a few progressive princely states in the country, which was as people-centric as the princely states of Baroda and Travencore were, and added that Maharaja Hari Singh was not just a benevolent ruler, social reformer and an ardent believer in the principles of rule and law and equality among all, but also a patriot of patriots. It was Maharaja Hari Singh who demanded liberation of India from the British rule in February, 1931 at the Round Table Conference at London, which the British Government didn’t like.
“The British Government hatched many conspiracies against him by instigating certain communal elements in the state to revolt against him and the Dogra’s pious rule in the wake of Maharaja Hari Singh’s pro-India role in the Round Table Conference,” claimed Slathia.
Appreciating Maharaja Hari Singh’s decision on the state’s accession, Slathia said that there would have been no POJK, had the Government of India accepted his offer of accession he made through his letters and the letters of his Prime Minister Mehr Chand Mahajan’s to the Government of India written before October 26, 1947. He pooh-poohed those who say that Maharaja Hari Singh was against the state’s accession to India and was for the state’s independence.
He further said that all the main stream political parties have voiced their concern and the State Govt should respect the aspirations of the people by declaring 23rd September as State Holiday. He also appealed to the Hon’ble Chief Justice of High Court of J&K to declare 23rd September 2017 as Holiday in the High Court of J&K. He further appreciated that MLA Nagrota who belongs to National Conference party vehemently pleaded on the floor of the house for declaring 23rd September as state holiday , Social & religious organizations particularly Team Jammu, Traders organizations, Maharaj Hari Singh Vichar Manch, Amar Khastriya Rajput Sabha, Brahaman Sabha, JPPF etc, have vehemently pleaded for declaration of 23rd September as State Holiday but it is unfortunate that the Collation government has not come forward for issuing formal declaration.
Slathia said that there is still time to take the necessary steps needed to be taken to declare September 23rd a state holiday in memory of Maharaja Hari Singh otherwise JKHCBAJ will do all that it could to force the authorities to meet the years-old demand of the people of the state.