Manu is a special sort of community worker and student of Vedic philosophy, fighting to raise awareness for the Dogras of the Jammu region, from the Jammu Kashmir state: “historically,” Manu passionately opened, “our people were great warriors. We have a very rich language (Dogri) and a unique heritage, but over the years, and amid the conflict of geo-political boundaries between two of the world’s most major religious groups, our culture and representation have been gradually drowned out”. This hits especially erroneous because the state of Jammu Kashmir actually had a Dogra dynasty: “Today Dogra youth,” Manu continued, “both in India and as part of the British-Asian diaspora, find themselves having to concede their background as generically Kashmiri – or sometimes Punjabi where many Dogras are also settled - because they’ve been wiped from Indian national memory. In India, there is nothing of the Dogras in the educational curriculum. My role, as a result, has been to mobilise community groups, on Facebook and other online pages, and organise various gatherings to give our minority a voice, and encourage Dogras to speak up about the intricacies of their heritage, amongst the Indian community and at open public events.”
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This includes a ceremonial function recently held at British Parliament on the 10th October, on the 121st anniversary of the last Jammu Kashmiri Dogra Maharaja Hari Singh, to discuss and consolidate what happened at the time and boost new-fangled recognition. There will also be a colourful showcase of Dogra culture on the 16th of October at Trafalgar Square, demonstrating the culture’s proud martial heritage and offering the chance to sample some delicious Dogri cuisine. “We celebrate the festival of Lohri – a time of the year to mark the harvest – in our own distinctive way too,” Manu made sure to emphasise. It is fitting that this warm crusader is as expressive as she is fervent – regularly contributing her social and political opinions to publications such as the Daily O, and being dubbed the Founder of the Voice of Dogras as one of the few from a marginalised community to graduate from a top 5 Indian university and go on to a life of commemorating it. As she emphasised: “much of my work is to revive a worthy narrative,” and what is nationhood if not a communal epic? Bringing the focus back to individuals and people, communication and self-worth, Manu doesn’t just raise the profile of the Dogras, but shows us the meaning of cultural integrity and what it is to truly love your home: “we want increased visibility, but we also care deeply about the Jammu Kashmiri state. We are a diverse people and in terms of the population, we really have a more secular character. In Pakistan-occupied Jammu mainland, out of 1 million Jammu Kashmiris, 900,000 are actually Dogri speaking. Our ethnic heritage is very much interwoven.” Indeed too, although predominantly Hindu, Dogras also form part of the Sikh and Muslim communities.
What exactly compelled you towards Dogra activism and the Jammu Kashmir community?
I am a Dogra, and I wanted to give back to my community. Education has started to take off in Jammu, but we are still largely a martial and agrarian community. There are a lot of ties to the Indian army and armed forces. I am very proud of stepping out of the mould and going to study my passion of sociology at Lady Shri Ram College, and later at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences in Mumbai. I was always aware I was a Dogra girl, and felt blessed to have the privilege of receiving such high quality education. What really catalysed my activism was the 2008 Amarnath land row in Jammu Kashmir around the Hindu pilgrimage that took place in the Muslim majority Kashmir valley.
Jammu Kashmiri politicians didn’t want to support it, and the whole region was in unrest. My father was actually arrested for protesting. What I noticed was a distinct lack of representation of the Jammuites who all rose together during this conflict. The media were only talking to people as Kashmiris and the few Jammu leaders who were speaking couldn’t quite communicate: both because they were coming from an underrepresented point of view, and the lack of having access to a better education. I was so frustrated. We are such open and giving people too. I realised we had to have more of a political identity and presence: through vocalisation and editorial presence. A counter-narrative was absolutely necessary.
Are there any significant actions you‘re taking in Britain to strengthen the Dogra community?
We have a social media page so Dogras everywhere can connect. In England, we’ve been speaking out to ascertain that we are not in fact just Kashmiri and have our own heritage. There will be a protest to the Pakistani High Commission about the atrocities committed in Jammu Kashmir, from both the Muslim and Hindu communities. Learning by inquiry into the past, with an ability to sift through counter narratives objectively gives us the skills to deal with our present better. Though most historians have wronged Dogra History, more have now arisen to counter it, not in an attempt to seek a consensus, but because they believe that there are two sides to every story. One has been told and the other needs to be told.
You are a writer too; what do your articles usually focus on?
They’ll focus on the state of Jammu and Kashmir, but they are not rabble-rousing. I want solutions. There’s been too much pain and one-track mindedness already. When a people have been repressed for so long there is a lot of angst and frustration. The last thing I want is inward looking feeling. I want liberation and for people to feel open. I would say my activism is inclusive. The entire state is important to me. It’s not about ownership and regionalism; it’s about positivity and working together.
Finally, what in your opinion is integral to community cohesion?
History and culture bring people together. You need a shared narrative; a legacy and sense of belonging. If you look at the Dogras in particular, we were an amazing marital race who fought alongside the British in Tibet and Afghanistan, East Africa and Macedonia. Communities also have a certain way of thinking and worship that intimately binds them. However, it is also important to do this positively. Don’t preach; affirm. I always encourage people to talk, say at lectures about Jammu, even if for 10 minutes, to let people know and connect them to the story. Cohesion is about inspiring and bringing people together; this includes inviting others to understand you. I’m pleased to report this approach has already gained traction, with youngsters getting in touch and asking if they can do their thesis statements on the Dogras and people asking me about my background without needing a prompt!
