Special feature on the occasion of his 53rd Death Anniversary
By Ravi Rohmetra
Pt. Prem Nath Dogra, a great human being and towering personality who worked selflessly for cause of the people He was a friend, a guide, a social reformer and an outstanding political leader of his time who shared weal and woes of needy.
Pt. Prem Nath Dogra remained to help the families below poverty line. The feeling of helping and supporting the masses, especially poor was so deepened in his heart and mind that he always loved to face all kind of odds or eventualities for the relief and comforts of others. He always believed that service to humanity is the service to God. This is the basic reasons that the poor masses remember him as their Godfather and his name is being taken with great love, respect and reverence. Born and brought up in Smailpur on 24th of October, 1884 an outskirt village of Jammu, he graduated from Foreman College Lahore in 1908. Besides his academics, he was an outstanding athlete who won many prizes in sports field.
After joining as Tehsildar, he served the state government in various capacities and was even the Lent Officer In-charge of Bhadarwah Jagir of Maharaja and later became the Wazir-e-Wazarat (Deputy Commissioner). He was very principled person and acted judiciously in dealing with the problems, but on the accusation of not having dealt with Muslim Agitators in Kashmir valley severely. Though there was violence in other districts of valley, Muzaffarabad under the 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 Hari Jan Sewa Mandal to help upliftment of Hari-Jan. Dauntingly on March he gave birth to Brahman Mukhya Mandal which is now called “Brahman Pratinidhi Sabha” to help eradicate social evils in Brahmin society. Besides he emerged as leading member and founder of Dogra Sadar Sabha, Snatam Dharam Sabha and was elected member of Jammu Municipality and remained its Vice- President for a decade till 1949. In 1945 elections, he was elected to the then Assembly (Praja Sabha). During 1963-64, he was the Sangh-Chaalak at RSS for J&K. Under his stewardship as Sangachaalak, he lead the strenuous job for organizing 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 colour to his feathers and he became a popular personality amongst the masses. The then Prime Minister of J&K, Sheikh Mohd Abdullah ordered his arrest in 1949 on concocted accusations but under pressure of agitating people of he was released.
All efforts failed of the then government to help Sheikh Mohd Abdullah to dominate and detain Pt. Dogra who was the elected president of J&K Praja Parishad (1950-1964). He was staunch believer of democracy in real sense and fought for uniformity all around the country under the slogan “EK NISHAN, EK VIDHAN, EK PRADHAN’ and for unquestionable integrity to the country. The agitation to achieve above motives attracted jail for him for nine months. Though detained in Kashmir, Pandit ji was elected to the state Assembly for 3 times and two times for Praja Sabha (5 times), 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 the then Chief Minister Gulam Mohd Bakshi and G. M. Sadiq. Later Pandit ji held the President’s post of All India Jan-Sangh for the year 1955-56. He led the Jan-Sangh group in the Legislative Assembly. To sum up, Pt. Dogra proved to be a true and faithful solider of soil and everyone is proud of him. While serving the state government, Pt. Dogra had not taken Government accommodation, Kothi or Quarter, not even a vehicle. This shows his simplicity and dedication, who stood for secular values throughout his life.
A real friend of people and a man of high stature, Pt. Dogra was an institution in himself whose principles, ideology, concern for Jammu and commitment for full integration of the State with the rest of the country coupled with his pain for the society, earned him the distinction of being recognized as Sher-E-Duggar.
The best tribute to Pandit Ji would be that we should take a pledge today to keep agitating to fulfil the dream of this great leader for full integration of J&K with the country. On 21st March, 1972, the country lost a great visionary and the torch-bearer of nationalism in J&K, who shall always remain a source of inspiration for the generations to come. Pt. Dogra was multi-faceted leader with no match. He was a down to earth leader who never compromised on patriotism and set new examples of selfless service to the nation and the society.
Pt. Prem Nath Dogra Ji is a symbol of sacrifices and service to the society. He devoted his life for the cause of Mother India and he would be remembered for all times to come. BJP celebrates the birth anniversary of Pandit Ji as Sports Day. An epitome of humility and resilience, Pt. Dogra went on to become one of the most enduring icons of India. He spent every movement for unity of the Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country.
Though belated but yet appreciable as a resolution was passed by General House meeting of Jammu Municipal Corporation on 8th March 2021 that Parade Ground to be named after Pandit Prem nath Dogra Sports Complex and Administrative Council (AC) decision on 28th Oct 2021 that Samba College to be named after Pandit Prem Nath Dogra College under the ongoing : AZADI KA AMRIT MAHOTSAV CELEBRATION.
He often travelled by bus or on foot that maintained his closeness with the masses. All the political activities were done from his house. Even after 50 years of his death, still Pt. Dogra’s house is being used for political activities of BJP Party and is popular known as “Pandit Ji ki Kothi”. His contributions are unforgettable and will always remain in th hearts of people.
Even Though Pandit Ji is not with us today, his principles, ideals and service to mankind will forever enshrined in our hearts.
At the end I must say,
“Chaman Mein Gul Khiltai Nahi sabhi Ke Liye”
“Jahan Bahar Atti, hai Kisi Kisi ke Liye,
Aap ke Jane ke Badh, Andhera Rahega Mehfil Main,
Hazaro Chirag Jalane Padege Roshni Ke Liye “
(The writer is a social worker and can be reached at Mob.: 9419652999) ) * The views expressed in the columns are of Writer’s own
