Jammu shopkeepers demand restoration of Darbar Move
Jammu: Following the results of the occupied Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, shopkeepers in Jammu’s iconic Raghunath Bazaar have called for the restoration of the Darbar Move tradition.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the 149-year-old biannual practice, which involved shifting the administration between Jammu and Srinagar, was halted by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha’s administration in 2021.
Shopkeepers expressed that the discontinuation of the Darbar Move has adversely affected their businesses, leading to a sharp decline in trade revenues.
Many believe the tradition played a crucial role in the economic vibrancy of the city, as it brought a surge of administrative activity, government employees, and business opportunities twice a year.
Rajesh Gupta, a 52-year-old shopkeeper, expressing his concerns said: “Our business heavily relied on Kashmiris who visited during the Darbar Move. Since the authorities halted this tradition, not only has our revenue declined significantly, but the cultural and social connection between occupied Jammu and Kashmir has also diminished. For the past three years, shopkeepers here have faced immense challenges as a result.”
Madan Mohan Sharma, a veteran shopkeeper, mentioned, “Our business has been suffering ever since the tradition was scrapped. We are hopeful that the new government will fulfill its promises to restore it.”
Other shopkeepers echoed his sentiment, emphasizing that reviving the Durbar Move was crucial for economic recovery.
Jammu’s business community remains optimistic that the newly formed government will address their concerns, as many political parties had pledged to restore the tradition in their election manifestos.
