Is the Dogra community facing an identity crisis in the present era? This is a question which many Dogra’s are asking each other and among themselves and also to their friends and relatives but all in closed rooms. Why has this situation emerged for a community which has ruled Jammu and Kashmir for about a hundred years? It is really surprising that a community which has been in power for a century is now facing an identity crisis. Various factors are responsible for this crisis which includes the attitude of Dogra’s also. The Dogra community has never been serious towards its socio-cultural values. The Dogra community has hardly ever struggled to get something, leave aside the rights. This community has never seen or faced any struggle either for their rights or against any oppression. Most of the people of this community have been part of the Army right from the British to the Dogra army and then after independence of the Indian army. They have been recognized by the world for their bravery, fighting spirit, and loyalty. Being army men they have not only fought but won many wars in India and abroad. Dogra soldiers have been on the forefront at many war fronts during WW-1 and WW-2. They earned a name for them and have at many occasions proved their strength and courage by destroying the hardest targets of the enemy. But on the other hand it is a fact that they have never faced any struggle for their own rights. It is also true that they even never have felt the need for that as except education they received everything before independence. After independence the whole structure of administration and governance changed to a system which was completely based on education. This was a tough period for the Dogra’s as most of the youth of this community was either illiterate or was not educated and required for obtaining employment in government departments. However most of them till seventies felt satisfied with joining army but soon the recruitment in army was also linked with education because the whole scenario and tactics of modern warfare has changed. The new warfare system demanded highly educated young men who are not only academically educated but must have obtained scientific and technical education. Here the Dogra’s fell behind other communities. But soon they realized the value of education and now they are in a position to challenge others.
