JAMMU stressed its integration with India by celebrating the 63rd anniversary of the Instrument of Accession Day with much pomp and show on October 26. Several functions were held across this winter capital city of Jammu and other places in the region as part of celebrations of the Accession Day of Jammu and Kashmir with India by different parities and organisations. The celebrations were mainly in reaction to the statement of the Chief Minister of the State Omar Abdullah on the floor of Legislative Assembly in Srinagar that the State of Jammu and Kashmir was acceded to the Union of India, not merged with it.
The day began with a massive rally by schoolchildren which began from Mubarak Mandi, passed through various bazaars of the old city before culminating back there. Children carried placards and banners hailing the day as ‘Vijay Diwas’ or ‘Accession Day’.
The Indian tricolour was hoisted in almost all localities and at main crossings in the city. Men, women and children came out in a large number in these places and sang the national anthem after unfurling the tricolour. Sweets were also distributed by participants to celebrate the day exchanging the “Accession Day” greetings. A display of fireworks and bursting of crackers amid drum beating also marked the celebrations at some places.
Bharatiya Janata Party held a rally in bordering R S Pura town where former Chief Minister Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah had given a speech on accession.
Addressing the gathering BJP State president Shamsher Singh Manhas said that by virtue of “Instrument of Accession”, the integration of the State with the Union of India is final.
“Hence, there is no scope for anyone to raise fingers on the finality of the accession of this border State to India and therefore the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who has challenged this issue by making controversial statement on the floor of House recently, has even crossed limits by uttering unconstitutional words, and hence he should be sacked and put behind the bars,” Manhas demanded.
Jammu Province Peoples Forum, members celebrated the day by hoisting the tricolour and distributing the copies of agreement signed between Maharaja Hari Singh and Government of India, among the people on October 26.
“We want to make the people of Jammu region aware of J&K’s accession with the Indian Union which is being projected wrongly by Kashmiri ideologists’’, Forum convenor and former Sessions Judge Pavitar Singh told reporters.
“It’s an irresponsible act on the part of 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. He said J&K was and is an integral part of India and no force can divide it.
Duggar Vikas Manch, however, organised a children rally that passed through various markets of the winter capital and later unfurled tricolour at Mubarak Mandi. Dineshwar Jamwal of the Duggar Vikas Manch, which made the 64-kg ladoo and later in the evening illuminated Mubarak Mandi with candles and torchlights, said they would make a 650-kg ladoo on the occasion next year.
“The celebration idea began after anti-India speeches and statements coming from Srinagar directly questioned the State’s integrity with India. This is a reply from Jammu that we are an integral part of India,” said Jamwal. The 64-kg ladoo was decorated with dry fruits, making a figure of 64 which was distributed among the masses
Panun Kashmir led by Dr Agnishekhar held a seminar on the 335th Prayaan Divas of Pt Kripa Ram Dutt on the topic ‘Conspiracy to distort the truth of accession’. The eminent speakers included well known columnist and author Dr Jitendra Singh, Dr K K Pangotra and B S Salathia ex-president of Bar association Jammu. The seminar was presided over by Dr Agnishekhar.
On the occasion glowing tributes were paid to Pt Kripa Ram Dutt who led a delegation of 500 Kashmiri Pandits to Anandpur Sahib on the same day in 1675 which coincides with Accession Day.
In his thought provoking address Dr Jitendra Singh established the Instrument of Accession literally, politically, constitutionally and historically. While referring to recent controversial statement of Chief Minister, he termed it more of mischief than ignorance on the part of Omar Abdullah. He termed the present crisis as a war between nationalist and secessionist ideologies.
ABVP celebrated the Day as National Integration Day at Jammu University. Besides various functions were held by the ABVP activists throughout the State to celebrate the day.
Panun Kashmir led by Dr Ajay Chrungoo held an impressive function at Dogra Chowk here in which the activists of the organisation hoisted national flag and sang the national anthem. They also distributed sweets among the people on the occasion. National flags were also hoisted by PK activists at different places in the chowk. Speaking on the occasion Dr Chrungoo said that deliberate attempts are being made to create confusion about the accession of the State with Indian Union. He said this is a historic Day of J&K as well as country as on this day the people of the State willingly acceded to India.
Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) celebrated the Accession Day at Dewan-e-Aam at Mubarak Mandi complex here. On the occasion, chairman Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) said that this day was as important for the people of Jammu and Kashmir as August 15, 2010 is for the people of the whole country.
A poetic symposium was also organised by Sanjeevanai Sharda Kendra Anand Nagar Jammu on the occasion of Accession Day . A number of renowned poets participated and recited their poems regarding national integration. The function was presided over by Sanjeevani Sharda Kendra president, T N Pandita.
In connection with celebration of Accession Day, VHP activists took out an impressive scooter rally in the city.
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