Art, culture and language are not ornamental luxuries of a society. They are its conscience, its collective memory and its living identity. In Jammu and Kashmir, where centuries-old Sufi traditions, folk expressions, classical forms and rich languages define who we are, cultural institutions carry a responsibility far greater than routine administration. They are meant to safeguard heritage, nurture creativity and represent the true cultural voice of the region.

The question that demands urgent attention today is uncomfortable but necessary: can our prestigious cultural institutions survive, or even function meaningfully, when they are run by individuals with little or no understanding of art, culture and language?

The present situation gives us a worrying answer.

Over the last six to seven years, the functioning of several cultural bodies has steadily declined, most notably the Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture & Languages (JKAACL). This institution, once regarded as the backbone of cultural preservation and........

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