Shiv Sena (UBT) Vows to Protect Integrity of Dogra State; Demands Political Empowerment for Jammu

JAMMU, J&K — Feb 07, 2026 — Standing firm against the further balkanization of the erstwhile princely state, Manish Sahni, President of Shiv Sena (UBT) Jammu and Kashmir, led a spirited protest at the Maharaja Hari Singh statue to demand the political empowerment of Jammu without the need for territorial division.

Emphasizing that the region has long suffered from political marginalization, Sahni argued that the permanent solution to regional discrimination lies in enhancing Jammu’s legislative stature—specifically by increasing its Assembly seats to 50—rather than separating it from the Union Territory.

During the demonstration, where activists held placards advocating for unity over partition, Sahni criticized “power-hungry leaders” for fueling separatist sentiments to divert attention from critical issues like the return of PoK and the restoration of statehood.

Highlighting the demographic and geographical weight of Jammu, which currently holds only 43 seats compared to Kashmir’s 47, the Shiv Sena leader challenged proponents of a separate state by asserting that the Dogra legacy, nurtured by Maharaja Gulab Singh, must remain intact.

He concluded by pledging to lead Jammu like a “true leader” to secure its rightful share of power and resources, appealing to the public to remain united in the face of divisive regional politics.