Thakur Gulchain Singh Charak, President, Dogra Sadar Sabha, Jammu
and Kashmir, Jammu, chaired an urgent meeting of the prominent Dogras
representing various Sabhas and other organisations of Jammu province
regarding working out modalities for Celebration of Birth Anniversary of
Maharaja Hari Singh ji this year on 23 September and to deliberate upon
the methodology and pace of work adopted for revival and protection of
Dogra Heritage, by the agencies engaged by the UT government.
Earlier, on the sidelines of the meeting, Thakur Gulchain Singh Charak,
President Dogra Sadar Sabha addressed the media personnel of within
and outside J&K to convey deep resentment of the civil society over the
manner in which the noble, patriotic and just rule and character of Maharaja
Hari Singh Ji has been projected recently in a programme broadcast by All
India Radio/ Akashvani. Shri Charak lambasted Akashvani for broadcasting
such a defamatory, baseless and ridiculous programme in which the
Maharaja has been described as a cruel ruler whereas, some other
persons of unknown character and personality have been projected as
heroes of the freedom struggle.
Shri Charak expressed deep anguish on behalf of the civil society of
Jammu over the casual approach of the UT administration in revival of
Dogra heritage and protection and conservation of historical monuments,
despite of loud claims by the entire government led by Hon’ble Prime
Minister Shri Narendra Modi at the Centre and Hon’ble Lt. Governor Shri
Manoj Kumar Sinha in the UT regarding commitments for conservation of
indigenous culture, traditions and heritage. He said that at the ground level
the work on restoration of historical monuments like Mubarak Mandi
complex is going on at a snails pace and it appears that people engaged
are not specially qualified or skilled for the job. The roofs of the palaces
halls have been dismantled and walls of these unique monuments are
crumbling in this rainy season. The appeals of DSS and the voice of
Jammuites in this regard continues to be ignored.
In the meeting, which was attended by prominent citizens and leaders of
different social groups and organisations, following resolutions were
passed after thorough deliberations:
The derogatory references to Maharaja Hari Singh Ji in a programme of the
Akashwani were strongly and unequivocally condemned by all speakers. It
was stressed by all speakers that the Maharaja is a Dogra Icon
and any disrespect to his honour shall not be tolerated at any cost. It was
emphasized that Dogra history should be fairly projected and Government
should hold an inquiry into how the derogatory remarks were made against
the Maharaja, who was one of the earliest and strongest votaries of Indian
Independence and then, a signatory to the Instrument of Accession with
India.
It was appealed to the Government that the culprits, who made the
programme and allowed it to be broadcast, should be identified and
punished. Otherwise, it would be construed that the Government is hand in
glove with the miscreants.
It was also resolved that all Jammu based leaders of political parties
including Dr. Karan Singh Ji, Shri Ajatshatru Singh, Shri Vikramaditya
Singh and the Members of Parliament, leaders of religious and social
organizations and groups should come forward and condemn the remarks
against the late Maharaja in a programme broadcast by Akashvani/ All
India Radio in the strongest possible terms so that such mistakes are not
repeated in future.
It was further resolved that all Jammu based Members of Parliament
should vigorously raise the issues in respective houses of the Parliament,
of lackadaisical approach of the agencies engaged by the government in
restoration and revival of Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex and other
declared protected monuments of Jammu,, and appeal to the government
to gear up in true spirit of the works.
It was also resolved that DSS and like-minded people will strive to bring
together different organisations of Jammu region to celebrate the
forthcoming Birth Anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh Ji and demanding
holiday on the Day unitedly. Further, a befitting tribute shall be paid to the
late Maharaja on the Independence Day this 15th of August.
Prominent among others who participated in the meeting were Rajan Singh
(Happy),President Yuva Rajput Sabha, Mandeep Singh Chib,Sr. Vice
President Yuva Rajput Sabha, Pawan Singh Chib of Kshatriya Sansad,
Prem Sagar Gupta, Brig MS Jamwal (Retd.), C M Sharma, Dr. G S
Charak, President AIKS, Ravi Singh Slathia, M S Katoch, Parteek Raj,
Rakesh Charak, Swarn Singh, Ragubir Singh, Arjun Singh, President
SRRKS,Chhankar Singh, Madan Bhagat, Qadir Hussain, Daljeet Singh,
Narinder Singh Jamwal, Ravinder Singh, Chhajju Singh Katal, Prem Paul
Singh, Romesh Singh Bhau, Resham Singh, Rajinder Kumar,Pawan
Sharma, Jyoti Prakash etc.
