Is the Dogra community facing an identity crisis in the present era? This is a question which many Dogra’s are asking themselves and at some occasions to their friends and relatives. Many times discussions are also being held but only in the closed rooms or at personal level gatherings. The reason behind these close door discussions, when asked is not revealed and if forced it is described as a very personal matter. It looks really surprising and also funny that how a matter related to the whole community can be personal? But some people on being assured anonymity said that the reason behind keeping these discussions as closed door discussion is the fear of being tagged as anti National. Why anti National, when asked, they with hesitation and also under fear indicate (not clearly describe or state) that this crisis had never been so deep, serious and alarming as this had after 5th August 2019. According to them the abrogation of 370 and 35-A has become a major reason behind the danger being posed to the identity of the Dogra community. As they feel that allowing all other communities to have government jobs and to purchase the land in Jammu and Kashmir has come as a big and severe jolt for the Dogra community only and not for other communities of Jammu and Kashmir like Kashmiri, Gujjar-Bakarwals and Pahadi’s. Because of these communities, the union government is by one or the other way providing reservations in government jobs but there is nothing like this for the Dogra community. Moreover, according to them the major towns of Jammu region, that is to say the Duggar land, is being occupied by those who have no respect, affection and emotions for the land of Dogra’s and are behaving as the masters of Dogra’s. They also alleged that in a very planned way all the rich natural and also manmade resources of Duggar land are being handed over to the “outsiders” which is not only making Dogra’s economically weak but is also eroding their socio-cultural ethos and values. According to them, though at present such discussions are being held in closed rooms but the anger and resentment is emerging very fast. This can come to the fore at any time and with a force which may force administration to take some effective steps to ensure the security and conservation of Dogra identity.
