
Maharaja Hari Singh’s First and Last Radio Speech
On December 1, 2023, Radio in Jammu and Kashmir completed its 76 years of existence. It was on December 1, 1947 at 6.30 pm that Radio in the erstwhile Princely State of J&K started functioning from Jammu. Maharaja Hari Singh, who had acceded to Indian Dominion the same year on October 26, was the first person to make the historic speech from the makeshift Studios set up in Ranbir High School. Incidentally, It was also his last Radio speech!
The news agency — Associated Press of India (API) formed in British India, had next day ( December 2) carried and circulated Maharaja Hari Singh’s inaugural speech. The Maharaja had justified his decision to accede to the Indian Dominion. He had also extended his gratitude to Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru, Home and I&B Minister, Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel and Defence Minister, Sardar Baldev Singh for their help in coming to the rescue of the people of his State.
Maharaja Hari Singh had also all praise for Sheikh Mohd Abdullah, “the leader of the courage’’ and his Prime Minister, Mehr Chand Mahajan “whose advise was of greatest value to him.’’
On the occasion, the Maharani of Jammu and Kashmir had also spoken from Jammu Radio and appealed Kashmiris not to get panicky in the face of the crisis through which they were passing.
Kashmir Rechords is reproducing the transcribed speech of both Maharaja Hari Singh and Maharani of the Princely State.
Maharaja’s Inaugural Radio Speech

“Jammu, Dec 2: Inaugurating Jammu broadcasting service yesterday the Maharaja of Kashmir said that he was speaking at a time when severe fighting was going on at several fronts between the aggressors and the armies of the Kashmir state and of the Indian Dominion. He appealed to his people to have faith and courage and meet the crisis with strength and hope’’
“The Maharaja added: “A new chapter is being written in the history of my people, the people of the state. Momentous decisions have been taken. We have acceded to the Indian Dominion. We had to take this historic decision in a state of emergency owing to acts of aggression committed on our integrity’’
“My Government had no direct means of stating the true fact before our people or the public at large. By the kindness of the Government of the Indian Dominion to which government we are indebted in several ways, I am today speaking from the Radio Station at Jammu”.
