PDP legislator Vikramaditya Singh has written an open letter to J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, requesting a state holiday on his grandfather Maharaja Hari Singh's birthday on September 23.
Singh said he felt compelled to pen the letter as the issue is close to the heart of the people of Jammu and the public at large.
"Announcing a state holiday on the birth anniversary of the Maharaja will not just be a befitting tribute to him, but more significantly, it would honour and respect the strong sentiments of the people of Jammu," Singh, who is a member of the member of the Legislative Council, said.
The PDP leader also reminded the chief minister about a resolution passed in January in the Legislative Council in support of his demand.
He said the move will help in reducing the growing regional divide, as was also desired by former chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.
"I sincerely appeal to you to kindly consider my advice and show yourself as the true leader of our fragile state, who does not fear to recognize and honour the man known to have said 'justice is my religion and all religions are mine'," he wrote in the letter.
The legislator added that all political parties in the state have publicly spoken in favour of the Maharaja's contribution to the state and supported the call for a state holiday on his birth anniversary.
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