Srinagar, Oct 25 – Abdul Rashid Sheikh, known as Engineer Rashid and Chairman of the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), led a protest in Srinagar on Friday, calling for the restoration of the bi-annual “Darbar move” in Jammu and Kashmir. Accompanied by supporters, Rashid and his followers marched toward the civil secretariat, chanting slogans demanding the immediate reinstatement of the traditional practice that involved moving the official seat of government between Srinagar and Jammu.
The “Darbar move” dates back to 1872 and continued until 2021, when the Lieutenant Governor-led administration discontinued it, citing an annual cost exceeding ₹200 crore to the state exchequer. The bi-annual relocation involved transferring the secretariat and various government offices from Srinagar to Jammu for the winter and back to Srinagar for the summer.
During the protest, Rashid addressed the crowd, emphasizing the cultural significance of the Darbar move. He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir to understand that this issue transcends financial concerns and is crucial for the cultural integration of the region’s people. “The people of Jammu and Kashmir are confused about which city serves as their capital,” he stated.
Rashid criticized the government’s actions, saying, “They have taken away our state, Article 370, 35A, and our identity. Don’t make Jammu and Kashmir an experimental lab for your dirty politics.” He demanded either a declaration of Srinagar as the permanent capital of Jammu and Kashmir or the reinstatement of the Darbar move.
He warned that if the Darbar move is not restored within a month, his party would escalate their protests, taking to the streets once again to voice their demands.
