Share your story and shine at JK Monitor!🌟 Welcome to JK Monitor, where every story matters and every achievement is celebrated! We invite you to share the remarkable journey of your life and showcase your accomplishments to the world. Join our exclusive interviews that honor exceptional individuals just like you. JAMMU: The Jammu & Kashmir BJP leaders on Friday criticized the state government for its inaction in preserving the region’s cultural heritage, promoting local languages, and supporting displaced communities.
Speaking at a press conference, J&K BJP spokespersons Ajay Bharti, Dr. Tahir Chowdhary, and Zorwar Singh Jamwal highlighted the widening gap between political promises and ground realities, calling for immediate government intervention to protect the state’s linguistic and cultural diversity.
Ajay Bharti noted that despite Omar Abdullah coming to power 353 days ago with a manifesto promising to preserve J&K’s cultural landscape, key commitments on pensions, electricity, gas, and ration remain unfulfilled. Cultural initiatives, such as connecting Shankaracharya and Hari Parbat via a gondola, have also not progressed.
He stressed that displaced Kashmiri Hindus have specific cultural needs, including recognition of their languages, and called for the establishment of a local film industry to promote arts, language, food, and traditions.
Dr. Tahir Chowdhary highlighted that languages such as Dogri, Pahari, Gojri, and Kashmiri are gradually fading. With Gujjar-Bakarwal communities numbering 18–19 lakh and Pahari speakers around 12–13 lakh, their cultural expressions remain underrepresented.
He emphasized the need for national and international platforms for local foods, dress codes, folk dances, and music, while assuring that the BJP is ready to collaborate with the government to support such initiatives. Zorwar Singh Jamwal recalled the decade-long struggle that led to Dogri being recognized in the constitutional schedule alongside Kashmiri.
He said successive governments, including National Conference and Congress alliances, have failed to promote composite culture or support local artists and performers. Local theatres, folk singers, and cultural infrastructure remain neglected, despite Jammu & Kashmir’s potential to develop film and cultural industries that could boost the local economy and showcase the region globally.
The BJP leaders collectively urged the government to take proactive measures to revive and promote Jammu & Kashmir’s languages, arts, traditions, and culinary heritage, stressing that private efforts alone cannot sustain the region’s cultural legacy.
