Hari Singh: The icon of new generation in Jammu

Sumit Hakhoo

Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 2

Post-1947 political class in Jammu and Kashmir has vilified him and downplayed his contribution, but Maharaja Hari Singh, the last Dogra ruler of the state, is becoming a unifying force and an icon for the youth in the Jammu region.

Since the 2008 Amarnath land agitation, the young generation has come to know about him. This has led to a political awakening among the people. Youth are turning pages of history to study and discuss glorious days of the Dogra empire as hundreds now participate in the events organised in his memory. It has also brought the Rajput community together.

Many attribute this to the frustration among the people with Kashmir-centric political parties, who are riding piggyback on separatist elements on vital issue and ignoring the aspirations of other areas. There is also a deep-rooted anger among people alleged discriminatory policies towards the region in matters of employment, education and economy.

For the last few years social and political organisations in Jammu have been raising demands to declare September 23, the birth anniversary of Hari Singh, as a state holiday and renaming Kunjwani Chowk after Maharaja Gulab Singh. Even July 13, observed officially as Martyrs’Day to remember the 21 people killed after rioting against the rule of Hari Singh in Srinagar in 1931 is observed as Black Day.

Similarly October 26, when the Army landed in Kashmir in 1947 is celebrated in contrast to the Valley where the separatists observe it as ‘black day’ as signing of the instrument of accession allowed the Army to enter Jammu and Kashmir. Statues of Hari Singh, General Zorawar Singh, Gulab Singh and Ranbir Singh have been put up at various parts of Jammu along with other national heroes.

“Dogra history for the youth is a source of inspiration, a reminder of their purpose and responsibility towards the state and nation. Our legendary warriors remind us of the fact that it was the Dogras who built this state with their blood, sweat and toil and kept the state unified and prosperous for 100 years,” said Manu Khajuria Singh, who heads Voice of Dogras.

Though several places associated with the erstwhile Dogra dynasty were converted into hotels or commercial places, people are taking pride in contribution of their forefathers in shaping the present map of Jammu and Kashmir.

Even the long-forgotten places like Jia Pota, Akhnoor, where the cornation of Jammu and Kashmirfounder Gulab Singh took place in 1822, has become a new shrine for urban youth in Jammu who visit the place on weekends.

“Since 1947, Jammu has remained politically weak as the power centre shifted to Srinagar. Today everybody talks of the Kashmir valley and its aspirations while treating us just as a second class subjects. This needs to change now. Today the youth in Jammu are angry with appeasement of separatists and pro-Pakistan elements,” said Surinder Singh Gilli, president Yuva Rajput Sabha.

The Dogras under the able military leadership of Gulab Singh and General Zorawar Singh established the Jammu and Kashmirkingdom by extending its boundaries up to the border of Russia in the North and Tibet in the East, and remained as the largest princely state in British India up to 1947, when India attained Independence. Dogras were ruling Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, Muzaffarabad-Mirpur, Aksai Chin and Saksham valley and were de facto rulers of feudatories like Hunza and Nagar.

Hari Singh ascended the throne in 1925 and his reign saw several progressive measures taken for welfare of masses. His main focus remained on empowerment of women, education, health and outlawed un-touchability.