Revival of Darbar Move
The revival of the traditional Darbar Move under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s administration has infused Jammu with a deep sense of nostalgia and celebration.
The symbolic return of the government’s winter offices marks not just a bureaucratic shift, but a cultural and emotional reconnection between the twin capitals of Jammu and Srinagar.
Crowds lining the Secretariat Road, the rhythmic beats of drums, and joyous scenes across markets reflected how strongly this tradition resonates with the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
For Jammu’s business community, the Darbar’s return signals an economic revival.
Traders, hoteliers, and transporters view it as the reopening of a seasonal lifeline that historically boosts trade, employment, and hospitality here.
But beyond economics, the move carries a larger emotional weight for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Citizens see it as a reaffirmation of J&K’s composite identity, where governance alternates between regions, symbolizing unity, coexistence, and mutual respect in both the regions.
Though the practice was earlier discontinued in pursuit of administrative efficiency, its absence was felt as a cultural void between Jammu and Srinagar.
