We Dogras are threatened of our existence in the state due to present day politics played by self centered, so called, Jammu leaders who overlooked conspiracies to divide and rule us. We, the Dogras, consolidated the state of J&K by our blood and Dogra rulers ruled the state for over 100 years without any discrimination towards any community, religion or region.When ‘India got its freedom in 1947, the Dogras became slaves’. The Indian Union surrendered the J&K State to a handful of Kashmiri leaders that represented a small segment of a limited truncated region of a few districts.We have been the victims of deep conspiracies of the Kashmiri leaders who have been vindictive against the Dogras just because Dogras ruled the state, by sheer grit, determination and unaccounted sacrifices whereas Kashmiris had been the beneficiaries. The Dogra heros like martyred Brig. Rajinder Singh saved Kashmir with their last drops of blood. But the Kashmiri leaders with Nehru’s support conspired to hand over half of Jammu region to Pakistan so that they could subjugate residual Dogras. Ironically they called it Po’K’. The premature ceasefire forced to halt the own winning Army and reference to UN was an ugly design to achieve this.The time has come that we should wake up and seek our rights denied to us for last 70 years in the democratic exercise of ensuing elections. Let us question the potential candidates if they ensure that they will pursue the issues of this region projected by Dogra Sadar Sabha (DSS) time and again.Some recent bold actions in Kashmir against terror mechanizations, supporters and mentors both within J&K and in Pakistan are commendable. There is an India’s Kashmir policy visible for the first time. This must get pursued decisively, uninterrupted, boldly, without fear, apology or remorse and to the end of terrorism, separatism and anti-nationalism. The recent setting up of ‘Terror Monitoring Group’ is a commendable step, though much delayed. Terror with its planners, sympathizers, promoters and justifiers has to be rooted out. Dogras wish for lasting peace in Kashmir Valley and all round prosperity of the region with the nation.Jammu needs to save communal brotherhood of this region under attack from inimical forces. It requires a strong, vigilant security network, firm handling of anti-national elements and miscreants, fast track courts and exemplary punitive actions under law against those who disturbed peace and cause bomb blasts and raise pro-Pakistan slogans. This never got on the agenda of politicians, who have failed to take firm stand instead of blaming Kashmiris. Jammu leaders need to learn from the strong stand taken by Ladakh resigning from their political positions in different parties and how they achieved what they wanted. They resigned and unitedly fought to get hill council, separate division and now assurance for UT status. Mubarak Mandi and other historical monuments have deteriorated; Tawi Lake is yet a dream, like the non starter Gandola Project with its altered approach ignoring Mubarak Mandi. The mishandled 8 Lakhs files of Archives are fast vanishing. The archeological ruins tell a sad story of gross deliberate neglect and dis-concern by Jammu leadership.The border, Kandi, and remote area youths need a special recruitment drive. They are frustrated and being lured to drugs rampantly peddled in the province. Projects of shelters and bunkers for border villages moving at snail’s pace are unsuitable in many ways. The education gets repeatedly disturbed with no alternative arrangements.There is persistent grave discrimination in allocation of budgets which are pathetically low for the Jammu DD Kendra and AIR Jammu. Similar poor funding is made to promote Dogri language and other dialects of this region.The irrigation canals and distributaries are choked with silt and non functional leading to waste and flowing of unused water to Pakistan. There are issues of creating colonies for Ex- Servicemen (ESM) in Kashmir Valley and acquisition of awarded lands for the two Fauji colonies in Jammu and Samba; but political parties don’t support them. The martyrs’ families, the War wounded and the Gallant Warriors are not properly looked after in comparison of other neighbouring states. The six percent job reservation for young retired ex-servicemen is on papers only. ESM want GST exemption on CSD canteens and increase of annuity to gallant warriors.About the problems of daily wagers, Aganwari workers, MNERGA workers and home guards; Government has made repeated false promises which never materialized in absence of political will and support. Similarly refugees of 1947, 65 and 71 are persistently ignored by successive Govts. The onslaught on local demography is unabated not only from within the state, but from other states and even foreigners are forced on Jammu province to share resources, water, power, education, job opportunities, trade and living/parking space. The deplorable condition of roads in rural and hilly areas is leading to loss of lives of Jammuites on daily basis.Jammu festival, started as an effort for reviving and saving our culture –has become a mockery. The popular demand raised by Jammuites for functioning of secretariat at both the capitals simultaneously as Jammuites are at a loss for not being able to go to Srinagar in the prevailing conditions without any administrative backup, has been ignored. The problems being faced by the Numberdars, Chowkidars remain unattended and the empowerment of the Panchayati Raj Institutions is yet to become a reality.There is gross dissatisfaction over rampant corruption, discrimination, nepotism, unequal distribution of funds, job/education opportunities and many schemes offered by the central government. The Lok Sabha nominations indicate a planned regional ‘K’ centric polarization. No PDP candidate from Jammu is to help NC/INC allies, while Kashmir retains its age old posture; where even arch rivals too get united. Should Jammu support the ‘K’ centric design and continue to play second fiddle, stay discriminated and suppressed under a pro- Pakistan design (now openly trumpeted) by the Kashmir based leaders and risk a repeat of 1998-99 in Jammu also?Should Jammu present a broken, divided and disunited front electing singular turn coat horses for post polls trading? Or, should Jammu learn from history and present a strong united singular front to get reckoned? More than just ‘polls’ it is a matter of survival of a whole race of Dogras (comprising all communities) pushed to a wall- in a do or die situation.Under the circumstances the DSS calls upon all earnest genuine Jammu leaders to rise above self centered party politics and come together to pose a united front of all Dogras without distinction.The DSS also calls upon the people and voters to question all those who seek their votes about the inclusion of the above Dogra issues in their manifesto. The DSS may launch a massive awareness programme for educating the masses and isolate, expose the pseudo Dogra leaders who remember Dogras only in the pre-poll meetings by abusing the Kashmiris only and forget Dogra aspirations, once in power.
The important members of the political affairs Committee under the DSS president Th. Gulchain Singh Charak included Prof. N. K. Dogra, Col. Karan Singh Jamwal, Sh. Prem Sagar Gupta, Brig M. S. Jamwal, Gambir Dev Singh Charak, Col. Dr Virendra K. Sahi,VrC and S. Hakumat Singh.
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