Jammu: The University of Jammu has removed the word “Jammuiyat” from the title of its upcoming literary and cultural festival after a controversy erupted over the term, triggering a protest call by students and criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM).
The university administration issued a revised circular on Wednesday evening changing the programme title from “Jammuiyat: Sahitya Sanskriti Samagam” to “Jammu Vishwavidyalaya: Sahitya Sanskriti Samagam.”
The correction was made after the issue was brought to the notice of the university’s top authorities by this newspaper, prompting the administration to drop the word from the official title of the event scheduled to be held on March 13–14 at the university campus.
The clarification, issued by the Registrar of the University of Jammu, stated that the change applies to Circular No. Estab/26/23206-306 dated March 11, 2026, effectively removing the controversial term from the event’s title.
The row began after Vice Chancellor Umesh Rai announced the two-day festival during a press conference at the Chenab Guest House in the university.
The programme was initially presented as a platform to celebrate the literary traditions and diverse cultural heritage of the Jammu region.
Explaining the concept, Rai said the event aims to celebrate the rich literary traditions and diverse cultural heritage of the Jammu region and create a platform for dialogue among scholars, writers, artists, students and members of civil society.
“The concept of Jammuiyat reflects the region’s inclusive cultural ethos rooted in harmony, coexistence and shared belonging,” Rai said, adding that Jammu has historically been a confluence of languages and traditions including Dogri, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Gojri, Pahari, Siraji and Paddari.
He said the two-day festival will feature panel discussions, literary sessions, poetry recitals, cultural performances, book launches and exhibitions, besides showcasing folk music, theatre, traditional dance, handicrafts, art and photography exhibitions and regional cuisine.
According to the university, the festival will feature panel discussions, literary sessions, poetry recitals, cultural performances, book launches and exhibitions. Folk music, theatre, traditional dance, handicrafts, art and photography exhibitions, along with displays of regional cuisine, are also part of the programme.
The event is planned around three thematic sessions focusing on Jammu’s literary heritage, the diversity of its cultural traditions and the role of youth in preserving regional culture.
However, the use of the term “Jammuiyat” drew sharp reactions from some student groups.
A group of students led by Akash Bhagat announced a protest outside the main gate of the University of Jammu on March 12 at 11 AM, objecting to what they described as the introduction of a controversial narrative.
The issue also triggered political reactions. BJYM Jammu president Arun Prabhat termed “Jammuiyat” a “fabricated and divisive narrative” and demanded that the university withdraw the term from the event.
BJP spokesperson Girdhari Lal Raina also criticised the move, alleging that the term attempts to redefine the cultural identity of the Jammu region through what he described as an artificial construct.
With the debate gaining traction on social media and political platforms, the university administration moved quickly to revise the programme title, even as authorities remain alert to possible protests around the scheduled inauguration and other events of the festival.
