Karan Singh Commends J&K Chief Minister for Decision to Reinstate ‘Darbar Move’ in Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu, Dec 12: Veteran Congress leader Karan Singh expressed his support for Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s decision to reinstate the longstanding ‘Darbar move’ tradition. Singh noted that this initiative could help bridge cultural and linguistic gaps between Jammu and Kashmir.
The Darbar move, a practice that required the civil secretariat and other government offices to operate in Srinagar during the summer and in Jammu during the winter, was halted by Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha in June 2021, citing a shift towards e-office systems, which he claimed would save ₹200 crore annually.
On Wednesday, Abdullah met with civil society representatives and announced plans to restore the Darbar move, stating, “We assure you that the Darbar move will be restored. Jammu has its own significance, and we will not let its uniqueness fade.”
Karan Singh, son of the last Dogra ruler, Maharaja Hari Singh, praised the Chief Minister for his decision, noting that the practice was initiated by his ancestor, Maharaja Ranbir Singh. “He understood that the cultural, linguistic, and geographical differences between Jammu and Kashmir were substantial, and bridging them was essential for peaceful coexistence,” Singh remarked.
He described the Darbar move as an excellent initiative that enabled numerous employees and senior officials to transition between the two capitals each year. “This was particularly beneficial for Jammu, whose economy significantly relies on the influx from Kashmir during the winter. Now, with only these two regions from the original State of Jammu and Kashmir remaining, it is even more crucial to bridge cultural and linguistic differences, which the Darbar move will facilitate,” he stated.
The Chief Minister emphasized that certain matters cannot be assessed purely from a financial perspective. “The Darbar move symbolizes the unity and inclusivity of Jammu and Kashmir. It ensures that governance remains accessible to both regions,” he asserted. He dismissed financial arguments against this 150-year-old practice and stated that the government’s role is not solely profit-driven. “Our duty is to serve and promote balanced development across regions. Discontinuing the Darbar move would risk alienating the people of the two areas and threaten the unity we work to maintain,” he added.