The Dogra Sadar Sabha has demanded commemoration of Maharaja Hari Singh’s birth anniversary on 23th September every year as ‘Samajik Nayaya Divas’ or ‘Social Justice Day’ in view of his historical commitment to provide Justice to all irrespective of caste, creed or faith, as declared in his coronation speech, and reflected in the reforms and the legal framework for Social Justice instituted by him which remain the Hallmark of his reign. Disclosing this in a Press Conference held today, Th. Gulchain Singh Charak, Former Minister, and President, Dogra Sadar Sabha, J&K, stated that this was decided in a meeting of the Core Group of DSS and prominent citizens wherein it was recounted that in his iconic coronation speech in the first Durbar on his accession in 1925, he had categorically announced that “For me all communities, religions and races are equal. All religions are mine and Justice is my Religion”.
Sh Charak said that Maharaja Hari Singh Ji’s approach being that of a modern ruler, dedicated to gradual democratization and eradicating illiteracy, social evils and inequality, endeared him to all the subjects of the then Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir irrespective of class, religion, gender or region. He emphasized that it would be a befitting tribute to the Late Maharaja’s memory to commemorate his birth anniversary as Social Justice Day, and appealed to all social and political organizations who value his landmark contributions to join hands in the efforts to make such commemoration an annual feature. He also reiterated the demand to declare 23rd September a holiday in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Sh Charak further disclosed that attention was also drawn in the meeting towards the decision of the UT Administration to keep the Secretariat fully functional at both Jammu as well as Srinagar, which is expected to result in more convenient resolution of problems of people of both the provinces of the Union Territory and, in particular, to reduce chances of discrimination towards the people of this region, with continuous governance now available at Jammu round the year.
However, the Secretariat at Jammu is not yet fully functional as the vacancies therein reportedly continue to lie vacant despite lapse of a considerable period of time. He demanded that the vacant posts in the Secretariat in Jammu be filled up by posting of officers from the field for early resolution of the problems of the people of Jammu, and effective monitoring of the developmental works.
He said that it was again demanded to shift the entrance gate of Civil Secretariat Jammu, by an appropriate distance, inside the premises and remove the barricades on the General Vij Road in front of Civil Secretariat in order to allow citizens to move freely on the road. He said that the 3 km long detour which the citizens have to presently take due to the existing restrictions in front of the Secretariat entrance was especially inconvenient for mourners carrying the dead bodies from the north-western part of the City, and for students of the prestigious Government College for Women located on the same road. It was also a disincentive for; tourists and families wanting to visit the historic memorial of Raja Jambulochan opposite the Secretariat entrance. The access to the iconic Gandhi Bhawan and Zenana Park, which comprise a part of Jammu’s heritage, was also restricted due to the current restrictions.
He further said that the members noted with dismay that the traditional robes and headgear in the convocations in various prestigious Universities and Professional Institutions of Jammu and Kashmir were being given a go-bye and headgear not pertaining to the culture of Jammu and Kashmir was being introduced at the instance of mischievous elements thereby hurting the sentiments of the residents of the UT and, at the same time, tarnishing the image of the UT Administration. He demanded that the time tested practice of using the traditional headgear for convocations in Jammu and Kashmir may be continued, and the local and regional sentiments be considered before initiating any change.
Sh Charak further pointed out that, as requested repeatedly, the slopes supporting the heritage structures on the Tawi river side of the Mubarak Mandi Complex are prone to sliding and therefore need immediate measures for their stabilization. Participants in the meeting urged the Lieutenant Governor Sh Manoj Sinha to look into the matter urgently to consider issue of appropriate directions to the concerned authorities to take action urgently to avoid any untoward incident causing irreparable damage to the heritage structures along the slope.
He also announced that the DSS has decided to constitute a subcommittee on heritage comprising members and prominent citizens for vigorous follow up of issues pertaining to preservation of the culture, heritage and memorials of Jammu Region.
Prominent among others who were present in the press conference are Col. Karan Singh Jamwal, Sh. Prem Sagar Gupta, Sh. Ajay Khajuria, Brig. M.S Jamwal, Sh. Samar Dev Singh Charak, Sh. Gambhir Dev Singh, S. Kulbir Singh, Chhankar Singh, Ravi Singh and Dr. Vidya Sagar Sharma.
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