Rajnath to take part in ‘Jan Jagran Abhiyan’ rally in Jammu on Sept 22
› The leaders will be highlighting the contribution of Maharaja Hari Singh to the state and also focus on the ‘ill effects’ of Articles 370 and 35A on the state economy, culture and development. THAKUR NARAYAN SINGH, BJP state vice-president
JAMMU : Senior leaders and Union ministers, including defence minister Rajnath Singh, will take part in Bharatiya Janata party’s ‘Jan-Jagran Abhiyaan’ rally on the eve of Maharaja Hari Singh’s 125th birthday on September 22 at the Maharaja Hari Singh Park here.
The proposed rally is part of the BJP’s ongoing nationwide campaign on the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. The party plans to hold 10 meetings of its senior leaders and Union ministers in the state, including a large gathering in Srinagar.
While addressing a press conference here on Thursday, BJP state vice-president Thakur Narayan Singh said.“A Jan Jagran Abhiyaan rally (public awareness campaign) will be addressed by top national leaders including defence minister Rajnath Singh, BJP national vice-president Shyam Jaju, Union minister of state Dr Jitendra Singh and Union minister of state for finance Anurag Thakur on September 22.”
He said the leaders will highlight the contribution of the Maharaja to the state and also focus on the ‘ill effects’ of Articles 370 and 35A on the state economy, culture and development. Singh said the grand rally on the eve of the 125th birthday of the Maharaja is being organised to pay tributes to the Kashmiri ruler for his contribution to society, state and the nation.
He added that an exhibition will also be held on the life of the Maharaja on the occasion.
The Jammu Bar Association, various social organisations and prominent members of the civil society are actively supporting the programme, he said.
Singh appealed to the people to join the rally to show their support for the Maharaja, whose “image is being deliberately tarnished by certain agencies”.
The vested interests are giving false and misleading statements to create an atmosphere of confusion, but it is a historical fact that the Maharaja supported independent India long before the partition during the “round table conference” where he clearly indicated that he wanted to be a part of India, he said.
“Lord Mountbatten, Abdullah and Jawaharlal Nehru were the real culprits for all the mess in the region, especially in incorporating controversial Articles,” he alleged.