Darbar Move

Advisor to chief minister J&K, Nasir Aslam Wani said on Wednesday that government is working upon strengthening bond between communities dwelling in Jammu and Kashmir, and stated the restoration of historical darbar move is essential in this direction.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a folk event held in Jammu, Advisor to chief minister J&K said that Omar Abdullah-led government is taking concrete efforts in strengthening relations between different communities living in Jammu and Kashmir. He stated that darbar move – a historical practice of shifting offices to Jammu in winter months – is must to be restored to its erstwhile position so that contact between people-to-people will be ensured and strengthened.

“It is our belief that restoration of darbar move is must to restore peoples’ contact. The chief minister J&K has already expressed this wish many times in recent past. In this winter you have seen Jammu has witnessed good footfall of people from different areas after a pause of several years, who come here to live together and share their culture with other communities. This makes peoples’ bonding strong. Besides, such exercises push trade and other social activities to new heights. So darbar moves’ restoration is essential to build strong connections between people of different communities,” Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani as per Greater Kashmir said.

He said the efforts are being made in this regard and meetings with people have been restarted in this direction.

About return of Kashmiri Pandits to valley, he said chief minister Omar Abdullah has already taken up this issue. “The CM has taken a decision to reconstitute apex committee to ensure return of Kashmiri pandits back to valley. The government wants their return and dwelling like they were living in past with their brethren,” he said.“The government is working to restore pristine glory of J&K and make the region an example for the world,” he added.

What Is Darbar Move ?

The Darbar Move was a centuries-old practice in Jammu and Kashmir where the state government offices would shift between the summer capital, Srinagar, and the winter capital, Jammu, biannually. This tradition started during the reign of Maharaja Ranbir Singh in the 19th century to make the administration more accessible to people in both regions, taking advantage of the extreme weather conditions.

• Summer months (May to October): The state government would function from Srinagar.
• Winter months (November to April): The government would move to Jammu.

The move involved the shifting of government records, employees, and their families, along with heavy logistics. It was considered a way to ensure that the government was always within reach of the people in both regions of the state, especially given Kashmir’s cold winters.

However, the practice was expensive, resource-draining, and led to concerns about inefficiency. In recent years, the Darbar Move was curtailed, with many questioning its relevance and cost-effectiveness in modern times. The debate continues, with some advocating for its restoration, seeing it as a symbol of cultural unity and administrative inclusivity for the diverse regions of Jammu and Kashmir.

Kupwara-based social activist Syed Gh Rabbani Hakani has extended his heartfelt congratulations to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on assuming office. Along with his congratulations, Hakani has urged the Chief Minister to prioritize several public demands crucial to the welfare of both Jammu and Kashmir regions.

One of Hakani’s key appeals is the restoration of the Darbar Move, a traditional bi-annual practice of shifting the capital between Jammu and Srinagar, which he believes will promote unity and brotherhood between the two regions.

In addition, Hakani has called for adjusting the examination schedule for schools up to the high and higher secondary levels in the Kashmir Valley, proposing the sessions be moved to October-November to better accommodate local conditions.

He also emphasized the importance of promoting the Urdu and Kashmiri languages, underscoring the need to preserve the cultural essence and heritage of the region. (KNS)

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