JAMMU: The Dogra Sadar Sabha (DSS), a 120-year-old secular and democratic organization of Jammu & Kashmir, convened an executive body meeting at Sabha Bhawan under the leadership of its president and former minister, Th. Gulchain Singh Charak. The meeting focused on addressing the pressing concerns of the Jammu region.
The session began with a warm acknowledgment of the re-establishment of a popular government after six years of President’s rule, imposed in J&K on October 31, 2019. The DSS commended the peaceful conduct of fair elections despite numerous challenges and extended gratitude to the security forces for ensuring this historic milestone.
While appreciating the progress made by the Union Territory government on various development projects, the DSS expressed serious concerns about unresolved issues that either remain pending or deviate from the aspirations of the Dogras, encompassing all communities and sections of society.
The Sabha acknowledged the commencement of work on the Tawi Artificial Lake but raised alarm over the recurring breaches in the Ranbir Canal near Dharap village. These breaches have deprived irrigation to approximately 64,000 hectares of farmland, resulting in significant agricultural losses and hardships for farmers. The DSS called for a durable and reliable solution to this issue, alongside adequate compensation for affected farmers. The Sabha also proposed declaring the historic Ranbir Canal a protected monument, suggesting its development along the lines of the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad, including the installation of solar power panels to augment Jammu’s power supply.
The Sabha strongly opposed the UT government’s plans to convert the historic Rani Charaki Palace into a hotel, citing local sentiments and the rules governing protected monuments. It emphasized that any conversion requiring structural changes would compromise the palace’s antiquity and historical significance. Instead, the Sabha urged the government to focus on restoring the monument with the desired pace and precision.
While appreciating the renovation efforts on the Jambu Lochan monument, the DSS pointed out that restricted access due to the blocked Gen NC Vij Road and the vehicle parking in front of the monument have obscured its view and diminished its significance. The Sabha called for the removal of these obstructions to restore the monument’s prominence, symbolizing Dogra history and inter-communal harmony that inspired the founding of Jammu city.
The Sabha expressed dismay over the decision to shift archives from the Mubarak Mandi complex, likening the move to leaving the historic complex as a body without its soul. It urged the government to reconsider and relocate the archives, along with the 29,000 books from the old library, to a suitably modified building within the complex. This would ensure access for scholars and researchers, preserving the historical legacy of the region.
The DSS also lamented the decline of the Jammu Festival, which was initiated by the Sabha to preserve and celebrate Duggar Pradesh’s rich cultural heritage. Once a vibrant platform showcasing Duggar culture, the festival has now been reduced to a symbolic exercise. The Sabha called for sincere efforts to revitalize the festival and uphold the dignity and heritage of the region.
Additionally, the Sabha reiterated its demand for the establishment of a Duggar Satellite Channel in Jammu to promote Dogra culture, language, and traditions. Such a channel, the Sabha argued, is essential for preserving the identity of Duggar Pradesh in an era of globalization and for providing a platform for the region’s artists, writers, and cultural ambassadors to reach wider audiences.
The DSS members expressed collective disappointment with local leaders across party lines for failing to address issues dear to the Dogras. They urged these leaders, elected by the local population, to prioritize the region’s aspirations and unite in support of the community’s concerns.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, extending best wishes for a successful democratic tenure to all elected representatives and expressing hope that they would work diligently for the welfare of their constituents.
Prominent participants in the deliberations included Col. Karan Singh, G.A. Khwaja, Brig M S Jamwal , Col. Dr. Virendra K. Sahi, Gambhir Dev Singh Charak, Amanat Ali Shah, Abdul Majid, Adv.H A Siddiqui, Adv. H C Jalmaria, Jagdeep Singh, Narinder Singh Jamwal Chhankar Singh and others.
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