Politics

Jammu Municipal Corporation passes resolution to observe Maharaja Hari Singh’s birth anniversary as state holiday

Mainstream regional parties from Kashmir valley are opposed to the idea of declaring a state holiday marking the birth anniversary of Dogra ruler

Chandra Maurya

July 21, 2019

Jammu Municipal Corporation passes resolution to observe Maharaja Hari Singh's birth anniversary as state holiday

After JMC, few other Urban local bodies in Jammu region are contemplating passing a similar resolution seeking state holiday on September 23.

Governor’s administration in the dock, other Urban local bodies too contemplating similar move in the coming days

More than two years after an upper house of the Jammu and Kashmir state Assembly had adopted a historic resolution recommending a State holiday on September 23, the birth anniversary of last Dogra king Maharaja Hari Singh, BJP ruled Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) has now passed a separate resolution to declare September 23, a state holiday as a mark of respect.

The latest move has already put the Governor’s administration in the dock as several other Urban local bodies in the region are contemplating passing a similar resolution to pressurise the Governor’s administration to declare September 23, a state holiday without wasting time.

Mainstream regional parties from Kashmir valley are opposed to the idea of declaring a state holiday marking the birth anniversary of Dogra ruler.

The resolution in the upper house was earlier moved by Ajatshatru Singh, the younger grandson of Maharaja Hari Singh and a BJP member on January 25, 2017.

It was for the first time a formal resolution was moved and later adopted by the Upper house with a voice vote.

Meanwhile, in Jammu Municipal Corporation, the resolution was moved by BJP councillor Narotam Sharma.

Vimal Indu, chairman, Katra Municipal Committee, said they had decided to bring the same resolution in the next couple of days

“I moved the resolution to respect the sentiments of people for Maharaja Hari Singh, who had executed the Instrument of Accession thereby agreeing to accede to the Dominion of India. We wanted to start it from the JMC.

Now, the ball is in the court of the Governor’s administration as the government is the final authority to declare a holiday. We will soon meet the Governor in this regard,” said Narotam Sharma, BJP councillor.

The resolution was passed without recording any opposition from the Congress or independent candidates in the general house meeting.

BJP enjoys the majority in the house of 75 members with 43 seats in its own kitty.

Earlier, on the occasion of Martyr’s Day, observed on July 13 in the state, Vikramaditya Singh, elder grandson of Maharaja Hari Singh, had kicked up a political storm by tweeting “plunder, loot and rape by criminals and jailbreakers in Srinagar city was put to an end in 1931”. “It is a blot on J&K that this is glorified as State Martyrs Day“.

His tweet provoked Kashmiri leaders and invited harsh criticism from the Congress as well as the regional parties, including National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Congress leader Saifuddin Soz termed it “obnoxious” and, in a letter to Rahul Gandhi, demanded Vikramaditya Singh’s expulsion.

NC spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar said the day marked “an open revolt against a despotic, pitiless and tyrant autocratic government”.

“Such brutish assertions against the martyrs who laid their lives for the dignity and self-respect shows the disdain the scions of erstwhile autocrats hold for the cherished values of democracy,” he said.

JMC resolution has triggered a chain reaction

After JMC, few other Urban local bodies in Jammu region are contemplating passing a similar resolution seeking state holiday on September 23.

“We fully endorse and support the decision of the JMC. We are planning to convene a meeting of all councillors soon and will make a decision. We will even pass the resolution in this regard if the need arises,” said Rekha Kumari, acting president of the Kathua Municipal Council.

Vimal Indu, chairman, Katra Municipal Committee, said they had decided to bring the same resolution in the next couple of days.

Yogeshwar Gupta, president of the Udhampur Municipal Council, also endorsed the idea, saying he would also convene a meeting on Monday to decide (on the issue).

Similar views were expressed by Reasi Municipal Committee chairman Sudesh Puri who welcomed the JMC decision, saying “It is a well-appreciated move. We will also call a meeting of all councillors and decide on the matter”.

Note:
1. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.