Jammu, Oct 26 (IANS): Jammu-based political parties, and religious and social organisations Friday celebrated the 65th anniversary of Jammu and Kashmir's accession with India by unfurling the national flag at the city's main crossings and in many localities.

Parties like the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) and Panthers Party (PP), along with many social and religious organisations like Bajrang Dal, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Jammu Kashmir Peoples' Forum celebrated the Accession Aay in various parts of the city.

After unfurling the national flag and singing the national anthem, state BJP president Shamsher Singh Manhas said, "This day in 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh (the then ruler of Jammu and Kashmir) acceded to India. So, this day is no less than Diwali or Dusshera festivals for the people of Jammu and Kashmir."

Panthers Party president Balwant Singh Mankotia led his party's function at Udhampur, 65 km north of Jammu.

There are reports of celebration of Accession Day from other parts of Jammu region like Samba, Kathua, Reasi, Ramnagar and Ranbir Singh Pora.

Maharaja Hari Singh, the then ruler of Jammu and Kashmir, signed on Oct 26, 1947, the instrument of accession with India and sent it to Governor General Lord Mountbatten. who ratified it on Oct 27, 1947.

The Hindu-majority Jammu region and Muslim-majority Kashmir Valley hold divergent views on accession.

While the predominant view in the Kashmir Valley is that the Maharaja went against the wishes of the Muslims in acceding to India, the majority in Jammu region favours accession and recognises the state as an integral part of India.