Jammu: J&K government Monday notified a holiday “on account of the birthday of Maharaja Hari Singh” to be observed on September 23 every year across Jammu and Kashmir under the Negotiable Instrument Act, 1881.
“To commemorate the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh Ji, September 23 of every year will be observed as a holiday in government offices and educational institutions across Jammu and Kashmir under Negotiable Instrument Act, 1881 (Central Act 26 of 1881),” read an order issued by the General Administration Department (GAD) Secretary Piyush Singla.
On September 15, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha announced the decision of the J&K government to declare Maharaja Hari Singh’s birth anniversary a public holiday.
LG Sinha had made this announcement following his meeting with a delegation of prominent political leaders, members of the Yuva Rajput Sabha, and civil society members including the head of the J&K Transport Union at the Raj Bhavan.
“The government has decided to declare Maharaja Hari Singhji’s birthday as a public holiday. 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 his rich legacy,” the LG said.
Before it, on the directions of the LG, a four-member committee was constituted by the J&K administration to examining the public demand regarding the holiday on the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh.
On September 16, LG Sinha said that the decision to declare Maharaja Hari Singh’s birthday as a public holiday was taken to honour his contribution to J&K and respect the sentiments of the people here.
“This decision has been taken to honour the monumental contribution of Maharaja Hari Singh towards J&K and respect the sentiments of the people here,” he had said.
As per LG’s announcement, the notification was issued by the GAD on Monday.
Yuva Rajput Sabha had been agitating in support of this demand for a long time.
Their demand was supported by many political, social, and religious organisations in Jammu.