SRINAGAR: Baramulla Member of Parliament, Er Rashid, led a rally in Srinagar on Friday, advocating for the reinstatement of the historic “Darbar Move” tradition, which Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha abolished in 2021.
The Darbar Move, a 149-year-old biannual custom, historically involved relocating the Jammu and Kashmir administration between the summer capital, Srinagar, and the winter capital, Jammu. This longstanding tradition was discontinued by the Lieutenant Governor’s administration in a bid to cut costs and improve operational efficiency.
Waving banners and chanting slogans, protesters marched from Hari Singh High Street to Civil Secretariat Srinagar, urging the government to reinstate the practice.
“We are protesting to pressure the government to restore the Darbar Move immediately. Its abolition has caused widespread confusion. People in Kashmir and Jammu alike are unsure about the whereabouts of their administrative files,” Er Rashid told reporters.
Rashid also highlighted the economic impact of the halt, noting that small businesses, transporters, and hotel owners—who depended on the seasonal influx of government officials and their families—have suffered significantly. “This protest is also a reminder to Omar Abdullah Sahab to prioritise the restoration of the Darbar Move,” he added.
The Lt Governor’s administration defended the decision, citing an annual expenditure of Rs 200 crore for the Darbar Move and logistical complexities in relocating the government twice yearly. However, critics argue that suspending the practice has distanced the administration from the people, especially in the Kashmir Valley, where the government’s summer presence was viewed as essential for effective governance.
