Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Government on Monday declared the birthday of Maharaja Hari Singh, which falls on September 23, as an annual holiday in the union territory.


"To commemorate the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh ji, 23rd of September every year shall be observed as a holiday in government offices and educational institutions across the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir under the Negotiable Instruments Act 1881," a notification issued by General Administration Department (GAD) secretary Dr Piyush Singla read.


Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha made the announcement regarding the decision on Thursday, following which people in Jammu city danced and distributed sweets to celebrate the development the next day.


Sinha said the decision has been taken in view of the aspirations and feelings of the people and the great contribution of the Maharaja.


LG said Maharaja Hari Singh was a great educationist, progressive thinker, social reformer and a towering man of ideas and ideals.


"The public holiday will be a fitting tribute to Maharaja Hari Singh Ji's rich legacy," he added.


Praising the government decision, former deputy chief minister Dr Nirmal Singh said, "The demand of the Dogras of the region have been fullfiled after 72 years".


"It is momemt of great happiness and joy that government has respected the sentiment of the Dogras by granting holiday on Maharaja's birth anniversary," he added.


Dogra Sadar Sabha chief and former minister Gulchain Singh Charak said Maharaja's birth anniversary should be celebrated annually as "social justice day" as Maharaja not only delivered justice to all but also undertook great reforms.


Pertinently, on the directions of Lt Governor, a four-member committee was constituted by the union territory administration earlier this year to examine the public demand regarding observing the annual holiday on September 23.


Dr Karan Singh, son of the last ruling Maharaja of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, said LG has made an announcement on 'holiday' as he has agreed to the demand.


Some locals, particularly those from the Rajput community, had also staged a protest in the city demanding the declaration of a public holiday in honour of the last Maharaja.


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