The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has recently issued a notice in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) petition advocating for the establishment of a dedicated 24/7 Dogri language Doordarshan (DD) television channel.

A Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan and Justice Puneet Gupta appointed advocate Aseem Sawhney as Amicus Curiae to assist with the case. Sawhney proposed that the government consider launching a Doordarshan channel in the Ladakhi language as well. The Court noted the suggestion and instructed Advocate General DC Raina to seek guidance on this additional request.

The petition, filed by Jayesh Kumar, seeks the launch of a Doordarshan channel dedicated to broadcasting in the Dogri language, similar to other regional channels such as DD Kashir, DD Punjabi, DD Odia, and DD Bangla. Kumar has urged the Court to direct the Union of India, the Director of Doordarshan, and the Chairman of the Broadcasting Corporation of India to establish a regional subsidiary Doordarshan studio within the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

He emphasized the need for a Duggar TV channel, representing the Dogra people of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh, to operate on a continuous 24/7 basis, rather than for just an hour or two in the evenings, similar to DD Kashir and other regional DD channels.

The matter was heard on August 12, during which the Court issued a notice and permitted the inclusion of Prasar Bharati as a party to the case.

Deputy Solicitor General of India (DSGI) Vishal Sharma represented the Central government authorities and waived the notice for Prasar Bharati. Advocate General DC Raina and Additional Advocate General (AAG) appeared for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, while advocate Himanshu Beotra represented the petitioner. The case is scheduled for its next hearing on September 25.