Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 5: Dr. Romesh Khajuria – Trustee of Parmeshwari Care & Cure Charitable Trust, Ex-Chairman of the Wool & Woollens Export Promotion Council(WWEPC) Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India, and Coordinator of organiser of the prestigious Duggar Di Virasat Award has strongly denounced the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department for perpetuating cultural and linguistic erasure of the Dogra community.
In a statement issued here today he said the Patnitop Carnival held 29-31 December 2025, once again excluded Dogra and Dogri artists – a pattern that reflects deep-rooted institutional neglect.
“Jammu Tourism was created specifically to preserve, promote, and project Jammu’s unique cultural heritage – including Dogra traditions and the Constitutionally recognised Dogri language,” Dr. Khajuria stated. “When the very Department tasked with safeguarding Dogra identity becomes its eraser, it raises grave questions about intent and accountability.”
He highlighted that Dogri, enshrined in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution, continues to be sidelined in its own homeland – turning cultural events into platforms for “imported” talent while local artists languishing. “This is not an oversight – it is a cultural injustice that demoralises generations of Dogra singers, writers, and performers,” he added.
Condemning the NC-led J&K UT Government, Dr. Khajuria asserted, “For eight decades, Jammu and the Dogras have been kept in denial mode – ignored, under-represented, and culturally dispossessed. This must end.”
Dr. Khajuria demanded immediate inclusion of Dogra and Dogri artists in all major Jammu events and review of tourism policy to align with constitutional and cultural duties.
He said “The promotion of Jammu’s tourism cannot be divorced from respect for its indigenous soul – Dogra culture and Dogri language,” he concluded. “We will no longer tolerate being erased from our own story.”
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