Jammu, Oct 26: Jammu and Kashmir BJP commemorated Accession Day (Vilay Diwas) with patriotic fervour on Monday at the party headquarters in Trikuta Nagar, Jammu paying rich tributes to Maharaja Hari Singh for his historic decision to accede the princely state to the Indian union on October 26, 1947.

J&K BJP Chief Sat Sharma while saying that J&K is an integral part of India, noted that on October 26, 1947, the then Dogra ruler of the state, Maharaja Hari Singh, signed the Instrument of Accession to India.
Sharma, accompanied by Leader of Opposition in J&K Assembly Sunil Sharma, MP Jugal Kishore Sharma, BJP Vice President Rekha Mahajan, General Secretary Baldev Singh Billawaria and MLA Vikram Randhawa, paid floral tributes at the statue of Maharaja Hari Singh.
This was followed by a solemn remembrance of the soldiers, security personnel, and citizens who sacrificed their lives in defending the unity and territorial integrity of the country.
He said the day marks a defining moment in the history of the nation and of the people of J&K.
He said October 26 is not just a date in the calendar but the foundation of J&K's constitutional and emotional bond with India.
"Maharaja Hari Singh took a historic decision that secured the future of the state within the Indian Union. For years this day did not get its due recognition, but it must now be remembered with pride by every citizen," he averred.
Sharma said BJP is committed to the peace, development, and dignity of every region and community of Jammu and Kashmir.