DODA, Jun 28: The Chenab Times Foundation has urged the Government of Jammu & Kashmir to issue Union Territory-wide guidelines ensuring that official Independence Day celebrations primarily showcase the indigenous cultural heritage of Jammu & Kashmir.
The appeal was made through a formal representation submitted to the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister, seeking policy directions for all government departments, district administrations, educational institutions and event organisers ahead of the Independence Day celebrations.
The Foundation expressed concern that, over the years, cultural programmes organised on national occasions have increasingly become dominated by commercial Bollywood performances. In many places, traditional folk music, dances, languages, attire and indigenous art forms receive little or no representation, despite these being government-sponsored events intended to celebrate India’s cultural diversity.
President of the Chenab Times Foundation, Anzer Ayoob, said there is nothing wrong with Bollywood or cinema in their own space, but official government celebrations should not resemble commercial entertainment shows.
“It is particularly unfortunate when item songs and unrelated commercial dance numbers are presented in the name of culture while our own centuries-old traditions struggle for representation. National celebrations should become platforms for preserving and promoting our indigenous heritage, not for sidelining it,” he said.
Ayoob proposed that the Government reserve at least 80 per cent of cultural performances during official Independence Day functions for indigenous traditions of Jammu & Kashmir.
“If an event is organised in a Dogri-speaking area, Dogri culture should take centre stage. In Sarazi-speaking areas, Sarazi traditions should be showcased. Likewise, Bhaderwahi, Kashmiri, Gojri, Pahari, Padri, Pogli, Kishtwari and other native languages and cultures should receive priority in their respective regions. Every community should see its own heritage reflected in government celebrations,” he added.
The Foundation said that such a policy would help preserve endangered languages, strengthen local cultural identity, encourage traditional artists, and inspire younger generations to reconnect with their heritage.
The representation urges the Government to issue appropriate guidelines well before Independence Day so that official celebrations across Jammu & Kashmir genuinely reflect the spirit of “Unity in Diversity” and the rich cultural mosaic of the Union Territory.