The program was organised by the Jammu Kashmir diaspora based in the UK and hosted by Rt Hon Bob Blackman MP Harrow East,
Jammu & Kashmir Day was celebrated in the House of Commons ( UK Parliament ) on the eve of 76th anniversary of Accession of the princely state of Jammu & Kashmir to India on 26 Oct 1947.
The program was organised by the Jammu Kashmir diaspora based in the UK and hosted by Rt Hon Bob Blackman MP Harrow East. Other parliamentarians attending the event included Rt Hon Jonathan Lord MP Woking, Rt Hon Theresa Villiers MP Chipping Barnet.
The special guests for the evening included Maharaja Ajatshatru Singh & Ritu Singh from the royal family of Jammu & Kashmir.
Other Keynote speakers included Dr Gautam Sen, Sh Sushil Pandit ji & Mr Sajjad Raja NEP Party representing POJK.
The proceedings were inaugurated by MP Jonathan Lord who welcomed the royals from Jammu & Kashmir and other guests and audience.
Dr Sen spoke about the plight of Kashmiri pandits and lack of political will to support their rehabilitation and he attributed this to the vote bank politics highlighting that the pandits community being small in number do not have a political voice.
Sajjad Raja ji spoke about the atrocities on hindus and Sikhs during the partition and he strongly argued that Pakistan is not a party to the Jammu & Kashmir issue because they are the aggressors who invaded and forcibly occupied POJK in 1947.
Maharaja Ajatshatru ji spoke about the dogra dynasty and their contribution to establishment and expansion of the princely state of Jammu & Kashmir. He also highlighted Maharaja Hari Singh’s role in signing the instrument of Accession with India.
MP Theresa Villiers spoke about the importance of Jammu Kashmir Day and also highlighted the significant progress made by the region since revocation of Article 370.
Sushil Pandit ji spoke about the lack of justice being done to the Kashmiri Pandit community and he also highlighted the apathy of the establishment in fulfilling the aspirations of the community.
MP Bob Blackman brought with him a signed copy of the Instrument of Accession and highlighted the contribution of the diaspora community in celebrating the day year after year in the house of commons. MP Bob Blackman also urged Pakistan to stop state sponsored terrorism in the region so there is lasting peace and progress in the region.
Ritu Singh ji spoke on Jammu’s rich culture and presented the MPs with beautiful Basohli art made by paper baag.
She invited the Indian diaspora to give back to the country and to Jammu and talked about the positive changes on the ground post abrogation of Article 370
She also talked about a number of social and cultural initiatives in the region specifically aimed at woman empowerment, skills development and preservation of craft and culture.
The event was well represented by political and community activists based in the UK, wider British Indian and POJK diaspora and a number of parliamentary staff.
A number of community volunteers worked together to shape the event including Ms Sonal Sher ( moderating the proceedings ) Mrs Shafalica Bhan Kotwal Ms Anupama Handoo Mr Vinod Tikoo Mr Anupam Fotedar Mr Lalit Sharma Mr Pankaj Raina and others.