Shergarhi Complex to be turned into cultural centre: LG Manoj Sinha

Lt Governor said that the government is committed to the conservation and protection of the rich culture and heritage of Jammu and Kashmir.

He said that his office had received representations from 100 prominent persons across J&K regarding protection and restoration of places associated with heritage and with cultural significance like Mubarak Mandi in Jammu and Shergarhi in Srinagar.

The Lt Governor remarked that after deliberations with Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir and the Ministry of Culture, the protection and restoration of Shergarhi, Srinagar and MubarakMandi, Jammu has been assured.

The Shergarhi Complex in Srinagar consists of the old assembly building, old secretariat and other heritage buildings. Secretary J&K Cultural Academy, Muneer-ul-Islam in a Facebook post wrote that the cultural centre will house a big museum, art gallery, craft museum and a city museum.

Lauding the initiative by Lt Governor, the Secretary wrote, "This is a big announcement and a big thing for cultural enthusiasts of Kashmir. Shergarhi has been a power centre of Kashmir for last 400 years."

Saleem Beg, Convener INTACH who has filed a petition for converting Shergarhi into cultural centre welcomed this step.

“This is a welcome decision. We have been fighting to get this complex converted into cultural Centre since 2017. This complex can serve as a meeting point, a practicing place and as a theatre for the artists of Kashmir,” he said.

He also cautioned that the process of conversion must be done with utmost care.

"They must do it professionally. Shergarhi’s conversion into a cultural centre is a real challenge for the government for it requires professional acumen and expertise," he said.