Declare Hari Singh’s birth anniversary holiday: Rajputs

Tribune News Service

Jammu, January 1

The Rajput community has demanded that September 23, birth anniversary of last Dogra ruler Maharaja Hari Singh, should be declared as a gazette holiday in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Yuva Rajput Sabha (YRS) has said Maharaja Hari Singh has contributed greatly to modernise the state and brought educational and social reforms. “The Maharaja ascended to the throne in 1925 and his reign saw several progressive measures taken for the welfare of masses. His main focus remained on the empowerment of women, education, health and outlawed untouchability,” said YRS president Surinder Singh Gilli.

Though post-1947 political class in Jammu and Kashmir have vilified the last ruler of the state and downplayed his contribution, but Maharaja Hari Singh is becoming a unifying force and icon for youth in the Jammu region.

Gilli demanded creation of a separate Rajput welfare board. Rajputs had always fought for nation.

The sabha has alleged that the government is trying to divide the community and has deprived them of their rights since 1947 when the Dogra rule ended.

For the last few years social and political organisations in Jammu are raising demands to declare September 23, birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh, as a state holiday and renaming Kunjwani Chowk after Maharaja Gulab Singh.