JAMMU – November 3, 2026: In an unprecedented development surrounding the annual Darbar opening proceedings in Jammu, the Press Club of Jammu (PCJ) has officially lodged a strong protest against administrative authorities over the enforcement of a selective entry mechanism for working journalists at the Civil Secretariat.
The controversy erupted following reports that a “pick-and-choose” approach was implemented to grant Secretariat access to only a handful of media representatives, departing sharply from established protocol.
An Unprecedented Break from Longstanding Protocol
For decades, the ceremonial reopening of the Civil Secretariat during the seasonal Darbar transition has served as an open platform for the regional press. Historically, accredited correspondents and media outlets have been granted full access to report on the formal proceedings, which include the Chief Minister inspecting the ceremonial guard of honor and receiving the salute from the Jammu and Kashmir Police contingent.
Addressing the issue in an official press release, Press Club of Jammu President Sanjeev Pargal characterized the selective curbs as both arbitrary and contrary to democratic norms, emphasizing that media scrutiny at administrative milestones has long been an institutional tradition in Jammu and Kashmir.
Missed Opportunity for Public Transparency
Beyond media access, the Press Club underscored the broader administrative repercussions of the decision. Pargal noted that the ceremonial opening of the Secretariat has traditionally provided an essential forum for the government to engage directly with the fourth estate, outline its administrative roadmap for the upcoming six months, and communicate public achievements to citizens across the region.
Restricting reporting avenues, the press body observed, ultimately undermines transparent governance by shutting out independent channels responsible for disseminating public-interest developments.
Journalists’ Body Calls Urgent Meeting
Urging authorities to ensure that such discriminatory access policies are not repeated in subsequent official engagements, the Press Club announced plans to convene an emergency meeting with working journalists, senior editors, and regional media delegations to formulate a collective response.
The joint statement was endorsed by PCJ Vice President Zorawar Singh Jamwal, Secretary General Dinesh Manhotra, alongside Executive Committee members Nishikant Khajuria, Deepak Khajuria, Dinesh Mahajan, Govind Chouhan, and Ajay Menia.
Published by True Roots Media Network