Pandit Prem Nath Dogra
Ravi Rohmetra
Martand
Duggar land has its own brilliant and unique history. It has given birth to veteran politicians, academicians, social workers and leaders of calibre. One product and prominent amongst them has been Pt. Prem Nath Dogra. He was born in a village Smailpur on 24 October 1884. He after schooling in a village school, graduated from Foremen Lahore in 1908. Besides his academics he was prominent athlete also and won many prizes in sports field.
He served the state government, after joining as a Tehsildar, in various capacities and was even given the post of Lent Officer In charge Bhaderwah Jagir of Maharaja and later became the Wazir Wazarat (Deputy Commissioner). He was very principled person and acted judiciously in dealing the problems, but on the accusation of not having dealt with Muslim Agitators in Kashmir Valley severely. Though there was violence in other district of Kashmir valley when
Muzaffarabad under control of Pt. Prem Nath Dogra remained free from any sort of agitation and people lived cordially. The vested interests then manipulated for his premature retirement. His retirement was a boon to him as he got ample time to interact with the masses to know the issues and problems. On social side he founded Harijan Sewa Mandal to help upliftment of Harijans, but erthodoxes were irked at this point of act dauntingly on march he then gave birth to Brahman Mykhya Mandal to help eradicate social evils in Brahaman society.
Besides he emerged leading member of Dogra Sadar Sabha, was elected member of Jammu Municipality and its vice president for a decade till 1949. All this gave him promiance and in 1945 elections he was elected to the Assembly (Praja Sabha). He during 1963-64 was the sangechalak of RSS for J&K.
Under his stewardship as RSS Sangechalak he lead to carry out herculean jobs for the organizing of the relief camps for the refugees from West Pakistan and uprooted people due to Pak invasion during 1947. His services and help to clearance operation by forces added colours to his feather and he was and our popular personality amongst masses. The then Prime Minister of India Sheikh Mohd Abdullah, Jealous of his popularity arrested him in 1949 on concocted blames but Jammuitees agitation forced release. All efforts failed of the then government to help Sheikh Mohd. Abdullah to dominate and contain Pt. Dogra Mr. Dogra was not elected President of J&K Praja Parishad (1950-1964) and also remained President after its merger with Jana Songs till 1967 then got himself relieved from there. He was staunch believer of democracy in real sense and fought for uniformity all round the country under the slogan "Ek Nishan; Ek Vidhan; Ek Pradhan" and to give full unquestionable integrity to the country. The agitation to achieve above motives attracted Jail for him for nine months. Though detained in Kashmir he was elected member Assembly in 1957. then also in 1962 and 1967 from Jammu city, North. He proved to be a great parliamentarian and earned praises of his opponents like then Chief Minister Ghulam Mohd. Bakshi and G.M. sadiq. He even rose to the level to hold the Presidents Post of All India Jana Sangh for the year 1955-56. He lead the Jana Sang Group in the legislative assembly, tom sum up Mr. Dogra has proved t be true and faithfully soldier of the soil and everyone is proud of him. His era ultimately came to an end on 20th March 1972.
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Courtesy: The Martand- The Official organ of All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference: 16th November, 2009