Mohd Yaseen
India’s linguistic richness is often presented as a reflection of its civilizational depth. With 22 official languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution and hundreds of dialects spoken across its vast geography, the country has long taken pride in promoting linguistic plurality. However, the reality often falls short of this ideal. One of the most glaring examples of this is the absence of a dedicated Doordarshan satellite channel for Dogri, a classical language spoken by nearly 2.6 million people, primarily in the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir.
Several regional languages with smaller speaker populations already have exclusive Doordarshan channels. These include languages like Mizo, Manipuri, and Santali. Dogri, on the other hand, continues to appear only in scattered segments within general programming. This lack of consistent visibility is not just unfair, it highlights a pattern of institutional neglect towards Dogri and its speakers.
Dogri belongs to the Indo-Aryan language family and has a long-standing literary and cultural tradition. In 2003, it was officially included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. The language is known for its rich oral heritage including folklore, poetry, theatre, and folk songs. Dogri literature expresses the everyday life and cultural values of the Duggar region. The Dogra community has made significant contributions to India’s armed forces, administrative services, and cultural landscape. Yet, they remain without a dedicated media platform to represent their language and heritage.
The demand for a Dogri satellite channel is based not only on cultural pride but also on social, demographic, and national importance. According to the 2011 Census, nearly 26 lakh people list Dogri as their mother tongue, with the majority residing in the Jammu region. However, Dogri is also spoken in parts of Himachal Pradesh, especially in Chamba and Kangra, and in Punjab’s Gurdaspur and Hoshiarpur districts. Additionally, Dogri-speaking populations can be found across the border in Pakistan, especially in regions like Sialkot, Zafarwal, and Shakargarh. This widespread usage makes Dogri a regional language of broader significance and deserving of a dedicated satellite channel.
By contrast, DD Mizoram, DD Sikkim, and DD Arunachal Pradesh serve languages with far fewer speakers. Mizo, for instance, had just over 8.25 lakh speakers according to the same census. Yet, Doordarshan established a full-fledged channel for the Mizo language. This brings up an important question. If smaller language groups are given full media representation, why not Dogri?
This cannot be explained simply as an administrative oversight. It points toward a deeper issue of selective priorities within the national broadcasting framework. Consider DD Kashir, a Doordarshan channel created to broadcast to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It has functioned largely as a Kashmiri language channel. While promoting Kashmiri is important, using a single channel to represent a diverse region like Jammu and Kashmir is inadequate. Jammu is home to a variety of languages including Dogri, Gojri, Pahari, and Punjabi, none of which receive regular or proportional coverage on the channel.
Jammu and Kashmir has a unique identity in India, with two capitals-Jammu in winter and Srinagar in summer. This arrangement reflects the region’s diversity and dual character. However, media representation has not kept pace with this diversity. State-run broadcasters have failed to mirror the cultural and linguistic variety that defines the region.
The situation is made more urgent by the challenges facing the Jammu region today. In recent years, issues like radicalization, drug abuse, border insecurity, and youth alienation have increasingly affected the area. In such a context, a media platform that communicates in the local language is not only culturally important but socially necessary. A dedicated Dogri channel can promote unity, provide trustworthy information, and support a stronger sense of identity within the national mainstream.
There is also a strategic angle to this demand. As mentioned earlier, Dogri is spoken in parts of Pakistan as well. A Dogri satellite channel could serve as a valuable soft power tool, promoting India’s democratic values and cultural diversity to populations across the border that share a linguistic and cultural background with those in Jammu. It can help strengthen people-to-people ties and counter misinformation through positive storytelling.
In addition, a Dogri channel can play a major role in preserving regional languages that are at risk due to globalization. Languages need more than just daily use to survive. They must be part of education, media, public life, and cultural production. When young people see news, entertainment, and debates in their own language, they build a stronger connection to their roots. Without such representation, the younger generation may drift away from their linguistic heritage.
The Jammu region has a vibrant cultural community, especially in theatre, music, poetry, and folk arts. A dedicated Dogri channel would offer a platform for local artists, writers, technicians, and content creators. It would not only preserve tradition but also offer employment and professional opportunities to those working in the creative fields.
Adding to this call, Janak Khajuria, General Secretary of the Doordarshan Approved Drama Artist Association, stated, “Our long pending demand of a satellite Duggar channel for the Jammu region is essential to protect, promote and develop the rich cultural heritage, art, and languages of Duggar land in general, and to ensure the welfare of the artists’ fraternity in particular.” This reflects the strong sentiment shared by the region’s cultural community and highlights the urgent need for institutional support.
There is also economic potential. A Dogri satellite channel can showcase the tourism appeal of the Jammu region to a national and global audience. Destinations like Vaishno Devi, Patnitop, Sanasar, Shiv Khori, and Bhaderwah are already known for their scenic and spiritual value. A media platform focused on local culture and landscapes could help boost tourism and provide new livelihood options for local communities.
Some have suggested that DD Kashir should be made more inclusive by offering scheduled time slots for Dogri, Gojri, and Pahari content. However, this model has already been tested and has not produced meaningful representation. In contrast, other multilingual states such as Goa, Tripura, and Puducherry have implemented strategies to offer equal airtime to their languages. A similar approach can and should be adopted in Jammu and Kashmir.
The problem is not with technology or infrastructure. Doordarshan already has the necessary systems in place. What is missing is a clear policy and commitment to fairness. Without this, Dogri will continue to be overshadowed in its own homeland. Language is not just a tool for communication. It is a symbol of identity, history, and hope. A platform for Dogri is long overdue.
It is important to note that Jammu is also home to a range of related languages including Gojri, Bhaderwahi, Kishtwari, Mirpuri, Poonchi, Sheeraji, and Muzaffarabadi. Each of these has its cultural roots in Jammu and a viewership that extends across regions. A dedicated Dogri channel could also provide space for content in these languages, reflecting the true multilingual character of the area.
As India moves forward in the digital age and approaches its 78th year of independence, the creation of a Dogri satellite channel is a necessary and meaningful step. It would recognize and honour the identity of an entire region and support the cultural aspirations of its people.
The demand for a Duggar channel is not simply a regional issue. It is a national commitment to diversity and justice.
(The writer is a National Scholarship and Fellowship Holder from Ministry of Culture, Government of India in the field of Theatre)
