Jammu celebrates anniversary of state’s accession with India

JAMMU - Several functions were held across this winter capital city of Jammu and other places in the region Tuesday as part of celebrations of the 64th accession day of Jammu and Kashmir with India.

The Indian tricolour was hoisted in almost all localities and at main crossings in the city. Men, women and children came out in strength at all the places and sang the national anthem after unfurling the tricolour. Sweets were also distributed by participants to celebrate the day.

Many people greeted one another with “Happy Vilay Divas” or “Happy Accession Day”.

It was on Oct 26, 1947 that the last Dogra king Maharaja Hari Singh had signed the accession of his princely state with India. The accession was ratified among others by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, grandfather of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

Sheikh Abdullah’s endorsement of the accession of Jammu and Kashmir with India is recorded in his autobiography “Aatish-e-Chinar”.

“It is a message to the world that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India,” said Mohinder Sharma, a resident of Gandhi Nagar. Others echoed him.

Almost all political parties of Jammu have joined hands to celebrate the accession of the state with India as a rebuff to the separatists in Kashmir.

The celebrations this year are being held on a large scale, provoked by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s statement in the assembly raising a question mark over the nature of the accession with India. He has added to the controversy by repeatedly talking of Pakistan’s role in the Kashmir issue.

“It’s an act of severe irresponsibility by the chief minister who is in office because of the Indian constitution and still publicly displays lack of faith in the state’s accession with India. This is unacceptable,” said Sunil Sethi, president of the Jammu Bar Association.