BJP celebrates ‘Accession Day’ in J&K
The Hindu
BJP celebrates October 26 as 'Accession Day' in J&K to commemorate Indian Army's arrival in 1947 and signing of Instrument of Accession by Maharaja Hari Singh
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday celebrated October 26 as ‘Accession Day’ to commemorate the arrival of the Indian Army in Jammu & Kashmir on this day in 1947, followed by signing of the Instrument of Accession by then Dogra monarch Maharaja Hari Singh.
Senior BJP leaders addressed party supporters at Jawahar Nagar area in Srinagar. “The Accession Day has existed since 1947. It was some local political parties that misguided youth, resulting in bloodshed and filling of graveyards, all these years. These parties are still yearning for violence in Kashmir. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 5, 2019, ended their propaganda,” BJP leader Darakhshan Andrabi said.
Several Srinagar-based BJP leaders, who spoke on the occasion, said the day needs to be celebrated because Kashmir acceded to the Union of India permanently. “The Instrument of Accession was a monumental step endorsed by (National Conference leader) Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, formally merging the State of J&K with the union of India,” she said.
In Jammu, a function was held at the party headquarters. “The Congress and the National Conference (NC) institutionalised lies around the Accession Day. It was these parties that created hurdles and delayed accession of J&K with India in 1947. Otherwise, J&K would have acceded to India on August 15, 1947,” BJP leader G.L. Raina said.
He said it was because of these political parties that the Maharaja faced humiliation and later exile in 1947. “The Accession Day is important to apprise people about the role played by these political parties in 1947,” he added.
The Central rule in J&K after August 5, 2019, designated October 26 as the Accession Day and declared it an official holiday. Meanwhile, J&K’s regional parties, the NC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), did not issue any statement on the occasion.
Almaya Munnettam (Lay People to the Fore), group in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar Church opposed to the synod-recommended Mass, rejected a circular issued by Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil and apostolic administrator Bosco Puthur on June 9 to implement the unified Mass in the archdiocese from July 3.
Pakistan coach Gary Kirsten stated that “not so great decision making” contributed to his side’s defeat to India in the Group-A T20 World Cup clash here on Sunday. The batting unit came apart in the chase, after being well placed at 72 for two. With 48 runs needed from eight overs, Pakistan found a way to panic and lose. “Maybe not so great decision making,” Kirsten said at the post-match press conference, when asked to explain the loss.