Dr Karan Singh faces criticism for flip-flop on Durbar Move

Jammu, Dec 14: Senior Congress leader Dr. Karan Singh has found himself at the center of a political storm following his apparent change of stance on the Durbar Move practice. Once a vocal supporter of ending the biannual practice in 2021, Dr. Singh has now publicly congratulated Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for promising its reintroduction.
In July 2021, Dr. Karan Singh had supported the decision by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to end the 149-year-old Durbar Move practice, calling it unnecessary in the modern administrative setup. In a widely circulated video from that time, Dr. Singh praised the move, emphasizing the cost-saving benefits and logistical convenience of abandoning the biannual shifting of the government between Srinagar and Jammu.
“There is no longer a need for the Durbar Move in today’s world,” Dr. Singh had said in an interview. The move was celebrated by some as a step towards efficiency but was met with resistance from sections of the public and the business community, particularly in Jammu, which suffered economically due to the practice’s cessation.
A couple of days back, Dr. Karan Singh issued a statement praising Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for committing to restoring the Durbar Move. His statement comes amidst growing demands from the Jammu business community, which has been severely impacted by the absence of the practice.
Dr. Singh’s congratulatory message to Omar Abdullah has drawn mixed reactions. While many in Jammu have welcomed his support for the revival of the Durbar Move, others have criticized him for flip-flopping on the issue.
Jammu business community have long demanded the restoration of the Durbar Move, arguing that its discontinuation has disrupted Jammu’s economy and left it feeling sidelined in administrative matters.
Despite a massive electoral mandate in Jammu, the Bharatiya Janata Party has remained silent on the issue, drawing sharp criticism from political opponents and the public alike. [KNT]