Jammu and Kashmir marks Maharaja Hari Singh's birthday with state holiday

Jammu and Kashmir came to a halt on Tuesday as the region observed a public holiday dedicated to Maharaja Hari Singh, the historical figure credited with steering the princely state's accession to the Indian Union in the post-independence period.

The commemoration held particular significance this year, with political leaders using the occasion to reflect on the consequences of the 1947 accession decision. Darakshan Andrabi, speaking at one of the events, highlighted the maharaja's pivotal role in the state's integration with India. "Maharaja Hari Singh took the wise decision in 1947 by acceding to India," Andrabi said, adding that the region continues to benefit from that historic choice.

The Bharatiya Janata Party organized special functions across the union territory to mark the birthday, underscoring the political importance attached to Hari Singh's legacy in contemporary Jammu and Kashmir. The celebrations reflected ongoing efforts by various political groups to contextualize the state's historical trajectory and its integration into the Indian republic.

Maharaja Hari Singh's accession document, signed on October 26, 1947, remains a defining moment in Jammu and Kashmir's history and continues to shape political discourse in the region.