There will be a holiday on the birthday of Maharaja Hari Singh: LG said – order will be issued soon; BJP state president said – Jammu should prepare to celebrate

The Maharaja has entered the politics of Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP has made preparations to declare a government holiday on the birthday of the last Dogra ruler, Maharaja Hari Singh. This would probably be the first time in independent India that a king’s birthday would be a government holiday.

Holiday notification to be issued soon: Ravindra Raina
Rajput society has warned of agitation regarding this demand. In view of this, local BJP leaders held meetings with the civil society and business organizations of Jammu. BJP state president Ravindra Raina said that the BJP got a government holiday on the merger day (26 October). It is our endeavor that the notification of holiday on Maharaja’s birthday (23 September) is issued soon. LG has assured us. Jammu prepares to celebrate.

BJP state president Ravindra Raina said that LG has given us assurance. Jammu prepares to celebrate.

PDP did not want leave on Maharaja’s birth anniversary
Ravindra Raina further said that Martyr’s Day has been celebrated in the memory of those who rebelled against the Maharaja in Kashmir. Holiday is also being declared. This is the reason that even during the BJP-PDP coalition government, the PDP did not agree to leave on the birth anniversary of the Maharaja.

The Maharaja had gone into oblivion, the first statue was installed in 2012
Maharaja Hari Singh had to leave the state in 1949 due to differences with Sheikh Abdullah. He lived in oblivion after signing the Instrument of Accession and annexing the state to India. He died in Mumbai in 1961 at the age of 66. There was not a single statue of the Maharaja in Jammu. The statue was unveiled in April 2012 by Dr. Karan Singh, his son Ajatashatru and Ghulam Nabi Azad.

Maharaja Hari Singh had to leave the state in 1949 due to differences with Sheikh Abdullah.

Rajputs constitute 27% of the Hindu population of Jammu and Kashmir
The BJP had tried this in 2017 while in a coalition government with the PDP. This demand again gained momentum after the abrogation of Article 370. But, the final decision could not be taken. Now the Rajput community has spoken of agitation. In the past, BJP leaders were surrounded from the platform of Rajput Sabha. Congress also supported. Therefore, the BJP has taken this decision out of fear of getting angry with the big vote bank. There are 28.33% Hindus and 68.34% Muslims in Jammu and Kashmir. 27% of Hindus are Rajputs. So it can prove to be a big political bet.