Jammu and Kashmir celebrated the 131st birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh on Wednesday with large gatherings across Jammu city. Hundreds of people assembled at his statue near Tawi Bridge to pay floral tributes.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha paid tribute to the former Dogra ruler. He said Maharaja Hari Singh was an enlightened statesman and progressive thinker who introduced far-reaching reforms for public welfare.
Sinha said, ‘Humble tributes to Maharaja Hari Singh Ji on his Janm-Jayanti. An enlightened statesman & progressive thinker, he introduced far-reaching reforms for the welfare & empowerment of the people.’
He added, ‘His ideals of public service, equality & inclusive development continue to guide us all.’
The Yuva Rajput Sabha (YRS) organised a Maha Rally to mark the occasion. The rally started at 10:30 am from M D Resorts, Keran Bantalab. The procession passed through Roopnagar, Paloura, Janipur, New Plot, Amphalla, Panjthirthi, CPO Chowk, Kachi Chawni, Parade, Shalimar, Indira Chowk, Gumat and Dogra Chowk. It concluded at the Maharaja Hari Singh statue at Tawi Bridge.
A 131 kg laddoo was prepared for the celebration. The laddoo symbolised the 131st birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh. On the night of September 22, YRS organised a Dogra cultural programme near the statue at Tawi Bridge.
The event ran from 8 pm to nearly 1 am. Rajput Karni Sena National President Mahipal Singh Makrana, Punjabi artist Rahi Rana and Rajput personality Upendra Rana attended the programme. Local artists performed Dogra cultural items, including Dogri dance and music.
The Central University of Jammu organised Dogra Virasat Mahotsav. Vice Chancellor Prof. Sanjeev Jain paid floral tribute to Maharaja Hari Singh. Girl students at CU Jammu performed on a Dogri mashup. Janvi Sharma spoke on the life and legacy of Maharaja Hari Singh.
The Dogra Group of Colleges held a programme at Dogra Educational Complex. Chief Electoral Officer Sanjeev Verma highlighted the historical significance and reformative vision of Maharaja Hari Singh.
DPS Jammu, DPS Nagbani and DPS Katra celebrated the Jayanti under the Maharaja Hari Singh Social & Education Foundation.
Kunwarani Dr. Ritu Singh launched two community initiatives. The first initiative is a Digital Literacy Programme for girl children from underserved communities. The second is Free Legal Aid through Dastoor.
At DPS Jammu, Arun Prabhat, President of BJYM, participated in a traditional Havan. Principal Ruchi Chabra administered the Pledge of Service to the Nation.
Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly witnessed a heated debate over holidays on the birth anniversaries of Maharaja Hari Singh and Sheikh Abdullah. NC MLA Abdul Majid Larmi demanded that either the holiday on Sheikh Abdullah’s birth anniversary be restored or the holiday on Maharaja Hari Singh’s Jayanti be cancelled.
BJP MLAs strongly opposed the demand and raised slogans of ‘Maharaja Amar Rahe’. BJP MLA Devyani Rana said the holiday on Maharaja Hari Singh’s Jayanti will not be cancelled.
NC MLAs raised slogans of ‘Sher-i-Kashmir Zindabad’. PDP MLA Waheed Para supported the demand to restore the July 13 holiday.
Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather said the Assembly does not have the power to declare or cancel a holiday. He urged members to maintain order.
BJP MLAs staged a walkout amid the uproar. Maharaja Hari Singh was born on September 23, 1895. He was the last Dogra ruler of Jammu and Kashmir.
Since 2022, September 23 has been declared an official holiday in Jammu and Kashmir. The holiday is observed across the Union Territory. This year’s Jayanti was celebrated a day after the Assembly witnessed a dispute over the holiday. Celebrations in Jammu continued with full enthusiasm despite the political row.
