Jammu, July 24: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Working President Raman Bhalla on Wednesday urged the Central government to initiate steps for launching a Duggar satellite channel in the Jammu region. This proposed channel, he said, aims to promote, protect, and develop the rich culture, heritage and languages of the Duggar region.
Bhalla made the appeal after a meeting with a delegation from the Doordarshan Approved Drama Artists Association (DADAA) in Jammu, led by J.S. Babli, President of DADAA, a statement issued here said.
The delegation presented a memorandum outlining their longstanding demands, emphasizing the primary objective of the Duggar Channel to safeguard the cultural heritage and languages of the Duggar region while also generating employment opportunities.
Babli highlighted the significant number of Dogri-speaking people, over one crore, residing in areas including Mirpur, Bhimber, Bag, Sialkot, and Shakargarh in Pakistan, as well as Gurdaspur, Pathankot, and Hoshiarpur in Punjab, and parts of Himachal Pradesh, the statement said, adding that he also noted Jammu’s strategic location near the International Border and Line of Control, making it ideal for promoting the Government of India’s policies.
Addressing the delegation, Bhalla highlighted the efforts that led to Dogri being included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. He stressed the importance of continuing these efforts to ensure that the younger generation learns and appreciates their regional language. “When you visit other states, you observe people proudly speaking their regional languages. It is crucial that we also focus on raising awareness, especially among the youth, about the importance of our regional language,” he said.
The Congress leader questioned why, despite the Central government granting two AIIMS and two Central Universities to Jammu and Kashmir, there are not two local channels as well. “When J&K already has Kashir Channel, the demand for a Duggar Satellite Channel should also be considered,” he said.
Bhalla assured the Doordarshan artists that he would take up their concerns with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in Delhi, committing to making all possible efforts to establish the Duggar Channel in the Jammu region. “This channel would be crucial in promoting the region’s rich cultural heritage,” he said.
Calling on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to take decisive action, the JKPCC leader urged him to champion this cause and ensure the fulfillment of this longstanding demand. “The establishment of a Dogri Satellite Channel is not merely about media representation but a crucial step towards preserving the linguistic and cultural legacy of the Dogras for future generations,” Bhalla said.
