Jammu and Kashmir Accession Day or Accession Day is annually celebrated in the union territory of Jammu & Kashmir(J&K) on 26th October commemorates the day on which the last Dogra Maharaja Hari Singh of J&K signed the Instrument of Accession in 1947.
- The Instrument of accession signed on 26th October 1947 made J&K an integral part of India.
- 26th October 2021 marks the 74th Anniversary of the Accession of J&K with the Indian Union.
Accession of J&K:
i.Maharaja Hari Singh of J&K signed the Instrument of Accession in 1947, on 26th October 1947, in which Jammu and Kashmir joined the Dominion of India.
ii.Lord Mountbatten, Governor-General of India approved the accession of Jammu and Kashmir on 27th October 1947.
What is the Instrument of Accession?
Instrument of Accession is a legal document introduced by the Government of India Act 1935 to enable the rulers of the princely states under the British to join one of the new dominions of India or Pakistan created by the Partition of British India.
Accession day a public holiday:
i.In 2020, The government of J&K has decided to commemorate the 26th October of every year as the Accession Day to mark the day on which Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession.
ii.The day became an official public holiday in J&K for the first time on 26th October 2020.
About Jammu & Kashmir(J&K):
Lieutenant Governor– Manoj Sinha
Tribes– Changpa; Garra; Mon
Dance forms– Hafiza Dance; Bacha Nagma; Bhand Pather