For the past two years, officials from the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) have been occupying the Jammu Writers Club (JWC) without utilising it for its intended purpose of promoting writers and literary activities. The JWC, which incurred significant expenses during its construction, has not hosted any activities or initiatives to support local writers from Jammu, disappointing their expectations. Instead, many of its rooms have been transformed into luxurious offices for administrative officers, including the Secretary of JKAACL, even though these officers previously had offices in the Academy’s old administrative block.
With a budget allocation of Rs 3.91 crore, the Writers’ Club boasts a comprehensive infrastructure spanning approximately 12,000 square feet. This facility encompasses various amenities, such as a multipurpose hall capable of accommodating hundred plus individuals, dedicated green rooms for both men and women, an art studio, a library, a painting display hall, a reading room, a coffee lounge, writers’ accommodation rooms, and a projection room. All this was conceived; the building is ready now, but the intent is missing. The current situation concerning the Jammu Writers Club is certainly far from ideal. Despite substantial investments in its infrastructure, the intended use for the club has not materialised, which is a concerning development. Using the JWC as an alternative to the official building is not an acceptable solution under any circumstances. If the official building of the JKAACL is deemed inappropriate or insufficient, the department should explore alternative rental premises rather than repurposing the JWC building. It is striking that the official rooms in the JWC are well-furnished while the reading room intended for writers remains incomplete and neglected. This discrepancy underscores the urgency for JKAACL to take appropriate actions to utilise the JWC for its intended purpose. The JKAACL must exercise prudent judgement and make concerted efforts to ensure that the JWC fulfils the role for which it was constructed, benefiting writers and literary activities as originally intended.
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