Delay in declaring a state holiday on the birth anniversary of last Dogra ruler Maharaja Hari Singh on September 23 is snowballing into a big controversy as the ruling BJP is facing ire of people of the Jammu region for “succumbing” to the PDP on the issue.
Not only the mainstream political parties, such as the Congress, Panthers Party and NC, have supported the demand, social organisations also took BJP ministers to the task for bartering peoples’ aspirations for power.
“The BJP ministers should keep in mind that it is all due to poll win in Jammu that they are enjoying power. They should respect sentiments of the people on the matter,” said Trilochan Singh Wazir, chairman of the State Gurdwara Parbandhak Board. He said the people irrespective of caste, creed, religion or region held Hari Singh in high regard hence the BJP must respect their emotions.
J&K High Court Bar Association (Jammu) president BS Slathia said there was no opposition to the state holiday move in the Kashmir valley. “It is very unfortunate that instead of recognising services of the revolutionary and social reformer ruler, the BJP is skirting the issue,” Slathia said.
On Thursday, over 30 social organisations led by Chamber of Traders Federation president Neeraj Anand warned of a mass movement if the government failed to declare a holiday on September 23. “The onus is on the state government, especially the BJP, to save the situation from worsening in the Jammu region,” said Slathia.
These organisations have appealed to employees to take mass casual leave on September 23 to celebrate the birth anniversary. Private schools in the region have already announced that they would observe a holiday on the day.
Although BJP ministers have maintained a guarded silence on the emotive issue, party spokesman Varinder Gupta today appealed to Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to declare a holiday on September 23 to recognise the contribution of Hari Singh in the development of state.
Social associations warn of stir
* Over 30 social organisations on Thursday warned of a mass movement if the government failed to declare a holiday on September 23
* These organisations have appealed to employees to take mass casual leave on September 23 to celebrate the birth anniversary of Hari Singh
* Private schools in the region have already announced that they would observe a holiday on the day
