It is the definition of Dogra and not the Dogra Certificate that has disturbed some leaders. After 1990 the people of Kashmir Valley have been rather pushed into a dilemma of distrust, confusions and misunderstandings on JK [Kashmir] affairs by some local conventional leadership as well as the separatists. Defining all people of Jammu region or province irrespective of ethnicity, religion, cultural background and mother-tongue as Dogra is what has disturbed some Kashmiri leaders but not the common Kashmiri masses. The Dogra certificate issue may not bring some extra employment benefits to the Dogra  people of J&K, but with the definition of Dogra recast by Revenue Minister Raman Bhalla, the people would stand firm against the forces who may be there to weaken the socio religious ties between the Hindu and Muslims of the state in general, Jammu division in particular. Earlier it was Gulam Nabi Azad who had clearly talked of Dogriat but could not do much about it. But now J&K Revenue Minister (of course with the support of Omar Abdullah) has dared to enter into controversy regarding Dogra Certificate.
The Arab News recently said that Dogra Certificate order of J&K Government may stir unrest in Kashmir. On the call of Syed Ali Shah Geelani a strike was observed in some parts of Kashmir valley on Dogra Certificate, which was being issued with the approval of the Revenue Minister Raman Bhalla. Why there is so much controversy on the issue of “Dogra Certificate”? Why apprehensions of disturbance of peace on the issue have been expressed by some Kashmir Valley leaders only? Why objections have not originated from any part of Jammu region or Ladakh region? Is the common man in Kashmir valley that concerned about issues like Dogra Certificate? How far have some Valley leaders been able to cultivate doubts in the minds of common man of Kashmir Valley about the people who do not belong to Kashmir Valley (more after 1990)?  There are some questions that need to be answered
No doubt Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah too in 1930s was particularly concerned for the welfare of the people of Kashmir Valley. He did start with the socio-economic welfare of the Kashmir Muslims but was surely not envy to the identity and progress of others. But Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah did not carry any discriminatory attitude against other regions. After sometime Sheikh Abdullah’s National Conference simultaneously showed interest in non-Muslims as well people outside Kashmir Valley. But political affairs of J&K were further mishandled by New Delhi after 1953. National Conference was compelled again after 2000 to lay more priorities on Kashmir Valley only for its political survival. In spite of all this the Government led by National Conference has still come up with the plan for issue of Dogra Certificates for the welfare of the people of J&K origin, who live outside Kashmir Valley. Of course there are also some NC leaders belonging to Kashmir Valley who have criticized the intentions of Revenue Minister Raman Bhalla. But they do not have much political base in Kashmir Valley and so can’t stand against the separatists. They completely depend upon the goodwill of Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah.
Those sitting in Delhi need to take affairs in Kashmir seriously. Otherwise it will be more and more difficult for leaders like Omar Abdullah  to fight against the separatists and those who indirectly support separatist ideologies.

 (Daya Sagar can be mailed at dayasagr45@yahoo.com)

Lastupdate on : Wed, 27 Apr 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 27 Apr 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 28 Apr 2011 00:00:00 IST