BJP remembers Hiranagar martyrs of 1953 agitation
In a programme held at Hiranagar, BJP State President & MLA Sat Sharma, along with Forest Minister Ch. Lal Singh, BJP State Vice-President Pramodh Kapahi, State General Secretary (Organization) Ashok Koul, Senior leader Th. Ranjit Singh, OBC Board Vice-Chairman Rashpal Verma, State Secretary Vijay Sharma, local MLA Kuldeep Kumar, State Addl. Treasurer Arvind Gupta and Kathua District President Premnath Dogra, paid rich tributes to the martyrs, who sacrificed their lives during the 1953 agitation of ‘Ek Vidhan, Ek Nishan, Ek Pradhan’. They laid wreaths at the memorial built in the name of these martyrs and spoke on their supreme sacrifices.
Sat Sharma, while announcing rupees one lakh for the family of one of the martyr Bheekam Singh, said that no amount of money can compensate for a human life but still the party is of the view that whatever help is possible should be extended to the bereaved familly. He said that the 1953 agitation under the slogan of Ek Vidhan, Ek Nishan, Ek Pradhan was first such historic agitation which brought all the patriotic people under one umbrella and many of them got bullets for raising tricolor, which was considered as crime in those days. With the sacrifices of our brethrens in Hiranagar, Ramban, Jourian, Akhnoor and other areas, separate post of Prime Minister was abolished but the mission is still incomplete and will be accomplished when there are no separate symbols in the state.
Ch. Lal Singh said that the sacrifices of these martyrs remember us that nation and national interests are above self and every nation loving person should take a pledge to take forward the unfinished agenda of the agitation and contribute towards fulfilling the same, which will be the true tribute to the martyrs.
Ashok Koul said that the agitation was launched with an objective of extending the national symbols in the State of Jammu and Kashmir as J&K was integral part of India like other states and none of them had separate Constitution, separate flag and separate post of PM. He said that the present generation should remain alert of the forces posing threat to the unity and integrity of the country.
Rashpal Verma, on this occasion, said that we have travelled a long distance after 1953 but the mission taken up by the martyrs has not been completely achieved. We have to adopt a comprehensive policy and work on it so that the mission is accomplished.
Th. Ranjit Singh, spoke on various instances related to this agitation and also introduced the family members of the martyrs of Hiranagar. He said that the sacrifices of such patriots also teach us a lot, which become source of inspiration.
Kuldeep Kumar spoke on the lives of the martyrs of Hiranagar and adjoining areas, who jumped into the agitation at very low ages and left the luxuries of life for the cause of motherland.
Parmodh Kapahi said that just remembering such martyrs for one day in a year is not enough and that we should have frequent assemblings here.
Vijay Sharma, on this occasion, termed the martyrs as source of inspiration for the next generations adding that the real tribute to them is to highlight their sacrifices.
Premnath Dogra said that the people who get martyrdom never die as they live in our hearts and minds and keep reminding of what each one us has to do for the nation.
BJP State Addl. Treasurer Arvind Gupta, State Executive Member Gopal Mahajan, Mahila Morcha leader Indu Rekha, Hiranagar Mandal President also paid their tributes.
