Kargil: The order issued by district administration Kargil asking government officials to attend office in Guncha/Sulchak, the traditional attire of most of Ladakh twice a week, has sparked a row with Kargil residents fearing it may be first step towards imposition of a particular culture on entire Ladakh.
The unusual diktat, which has taken people by surprise asks government employees to wear ‘Guncha’ on Mondays and Saturdays.
District administration in its circular has termed the move as a step towards preserving the cultural identity and costume of Ladakh. According to the circular Guncha is a cultural dress for all Ladakhis. However residents of Muslim dominated Kargil district have given a mixed reaction to the move.
Chairman Legislative Council Haji Anayat Ali has welcomed the move and appreciated the circular issued by deputy commissioner Kargil.
Ali appreciated the efforts of LAHDC Kargil and Leh and both the district administration for adopting and deciding to wear Ladakhi Goncha on a specific days of the week during office hours saying “this will help in reviving the culture in the region”.
According to the Deputy Commissioner Kargil Haji Gulzar Hussain, “it was felt and decided by the district officers during a function on New Year that we should all respect our culture and to save the identity and culture of Ladakh we should wear Guncha during office hours”.
He further said that for non local officers/officials it was not mandatory to wear Guncha but if they do so then it would be ‘highly appreciated’.
DC said that on national days like Republic and Independence days it will be mandatory to wear local Guncha by all officials and district officers will attend public meeting in local dress only.
Shiekh Muhammad Hussain Lufti, a prominent religious and social leader said, Although it is a good initiative but there should not be compulsion on wearing a particular dress
Haji Shafi advisor to CEC and counselor Drass said that the dress should not be mandatory. There are many cultural and ethnic identities and everybody should given right to wear their own traditional dress he added.
A Teacher in Government Middle School Latoo said we are deprived from our basic salary for last three months and in this condition how we can manage a Guncha which is very costly and mandatory at the same time.
Mukhtar Zahid Budogami a prominent Sheena writer said, Indeed it is a good step but he (deputy Commissioner) should think about other cultural identities especially the Dard Sheen, Baltis, Kashmiris and the Sikhs of the district.
He further added that “I do not understand it that if the administration has no problem to accept Ladakhi Guncha as the cultural dress then whats the problem to accept the Ladakhi script as well”.
Soon we are approaching deputy commissioner Kargil in this regard as other minority ethnic communities have been deprived which seems that the administration does not care about preservation of their cultural identities, he added.
Sadiq Hardassi, a prominent Balti historian said, The district administration should call a meeting again taking into account sentiments of other ethnic communities before implementing this decision
We cant decide for somebody what to wear and what not to wear in a democratic setup as it is a matter of choice, he added.
“Since when has it become the prerogative of the State to decide and in some cases dictate the sartorial choices of the people? This move smacks of the nanny State asserting itself”, according to columnist Viju Cherian.
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