Jammu, 11 March: Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) strongly condemned the use of the term “Jammuiyat” by the University of Jammu, terming it a “fabricated and divisive narrative” that undermines the historical and cultural identity of the Jammu region.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters in Trikuta Nagar, Jammu, BJYM President Arun Prabhat and BJP Spokesperson Girdhari Lal Raina sharply criticized the attempt to introduce the term and alleged that it is part of a well-thought agenda to gradually propagate a misleading ideological narrative about the region. Several BJYM leaders were also present on the occasion.
Addressing the media, Arun Prabhat said that the term “Jammuiyat” has no historical, cultural, or civilizational basis and is being artificially promoted to redefine the identity of the Jammu region. He asserted that the region has historically been a unified geo-cultural landscape comprising ten districts, sharing a rich cultural heritage and civilizational continuity for centuries.
Arun said that reducing such a vast and diverse cultural identity to a newly manufactured narrative is unacceptable and has deeply hurt the sentiments and emotions of the people of Jammu. He said that the people of Jammu have always taken pride in their shared cultural heritage, traditions, and values, which cannot be diluted by the introduction of an artificially created term like ‘Jammuiyat’.
Arun further stated that academic institutions are expected to promote scholarly integrity and preserve cultural heritage, but the attempt to propagate such a provocative and misleading narrative raises serious concerns. He demanded that the University immediately withdraw the term and instead use expressions that genuinely represent the true cultural ethos of Jammu in its entirety.
Girdhari Lal Raina termed the move a deliberate and calculated attempt to frame the cultural identity of the Jammu region through an artificial construct. He said that it appears to be part of a larger agenda to create divisions within the Jammu division, which will never be tolerated by the people.
Raina said that Jammu has always stood united with a shared cultural and historical legacy, and any attempt to distort this identity through fabricated narratives must be firmly opposed. He said that it seems to be a planned move to create confusion and divide the social fabric of Jammu, which is not acceptable at any cost.
The BJYM asked the University authorities to take immediate corrective steps and ensure that such misleading narratives are not promoted in academic spaces. They also demanded that the masterminds behind this attempt to distort the cultural identity of Jammu be identified and exposed, and strict action be taken so that no one in the future dares to promote such divisive and false narratives.
Reiterating Yuva Morcha’s commitment to protecting the cultural heritage and unity of Jammu, the leaders said the organization will continue to raise its voice strongly against any attempt to undermine the region’s historical identity and social harmony.
Others who were present on the occasion included BJYM Vice Presidents Priyanka Gupta, and Luv Sharma, General Secretaries Ranjit Singh, and Anant Khajuria, Secretary Sonika Dutta, and Sagar Kotwal, District President Jammu South Dheeraj Arora, District President KDD Vatsal Bhan, Spokesperson Abineesh Khajuria, senior BJYM leaders Adv Kanav Sharma, and Bhanu Sharma.
BJYM slams “Jammuiyat” narrative; seeks immediate withdrawal of term by Jammu University
