Jammu Tawi: The Yuva Rajput Sabha (YRS) held a strong protest today in response to the derogatory remarks made by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary against Maharaja Hari Singh. The protest included the burning of an effigy of Dy CM Choudhary and was led by the founding and core committee members of the Sabha, including Surinder Singh Gilli, Dharminder Singh, Shamsher Singh, Komal Singh, and Ballu Singh.

Speaking to media, Surinder Singh Gilli emphasized that Maharaja Hari Singh’s rule was considered one of the best in the history of Jammu and Kashmir. He highlighted significant reforms under Maharaja Hari Singh, such as allowing lower caste communities to enter temples, constructing the High Court for proper justice, establishing the Jammu & Kashmir Bank, and uplifting the economically disadvantaged from various castes.

Dharminder Singh criticized the National Conference (NC), calling it a dictatorship after 1949. He stated that the party, particularly under Sheikh Abdullah, misused the resources of Jammu and Kashmir under the shelter of Article 370 for personal benefits, continuing through Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah. Shamsher Singh accused Surinder Choudhary of being a puppet of the National Conference. He suggested that both NC and PDP are feeling the effects of the abrogation of Article 370, as they no longer have the power and influence they once did. According to him, this frustration is being reflected in their statements.

Gilli condemned Choudhary’s comments, asserting that they were a significant insult to the people of Jammu and Kashmir who revere Maharaja Hari Singh. He warned that if the National Conference did not take action against Choudhary and demand an apology, it would appear that the party deliberately used him to issue such statements. The Yuva Rajput Sabha and the people of Jammu, he stated, are demanding an apology from both Surinder Choudhary and the National Conference, or else the party will face consequences in the future.