Waheed Jeelani—artist, cultural and social activist—has urged the Governor Satya Pal Malik to look into the long pending grave issues of creative professionals and artist community of the state and take up these issues with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, who is visiting Kashmir next week.
In a statement Jeelani said, “At the very outset, I wouldrequest the Governor and his administration that special attention may be paidto revive cultural activities and cultural exchange in the state. Revival ofart and culture alone can bring long term peace and prosperity in any societyor region.”
“Artists of Kashmir, who have given their blood & sweatto the field of Art despite facing several hardships and have sacrificed theireverything just to keep state shining on the world cultural scenario aresuffering due to them being ignored byeveryone. They are disappointed due to lack of work opportunities andtremendous financial constraints. Both state and central government haveignored the cultural institutions,” he said.
“In order to safeguard the present and the future of thesecreative and qualified performing artists and thousands people associated withKashmir’s film and television industry, the administration must prioritize theissues and strengthen Doordarshan’s Kashir channel (DD-Kashir) and SrinagarDoordarshan, as a window of Kashmir’s cultural heritage with thrust onhighlighting the positives in an active manner through various programs. Thegovernment should chalk out a plan to provide adequate funding and allotment ofmajor share of programs to Kashmir based creative professionals and filmmakers,” Jeelani demanded.
“J&K has been the worst sufferer during the last morethan three decades due to prevailing circumstances from time to time.Governor’s administration should take up these issues with the Ministry ofculture, North Zone Cultural Centre Patiala Punjab (N.Z.C.C) for appropriatefunctioning of its Kashmir regional office and allotment of funds and programsin a transparent manner for the state of Jammu and Kashmir,” Waheed Jeelaniadded.