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| AJKGBCC protests against ST status for Paharis; urges rejection of unjustifiable claim | | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Feb 2: The All J&K Gujjar Bakerwal Co-ordination Committee (AJKGBCC) organized a massive protest and press conference in Jammu opposing the central government's move to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to Paharis. The leaders of the coordination committee expressed their concerns and vehemently opposed what they termed a spurious and unjustifiable claim by the non-existent Paharis.
During the peaceful protest and press conference held at Panama Chowk under the statue of Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar, Anwar Choudhary, Advocate Convener of the Coordination Committee, emphasized that the non-existent Paharis do not constitute a tribe and do not deserve Scheduled Tribe status. The leaders argued that the Paharis have already been granted 39% reservation under various categories under Jammu & Kashmir Reservation rules since 1994, and their claim to Scheduled Tribe status is unfounded.
Anwar Choudhary further mentioned that various commissions and committees, as well as census reports from 1941 to 2002, have never recognized the so-called Paharis as a distinct tribal group. He highlighted that even the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA rejected their claim to ST status in 2002, citing the existing rules.
The leaders of Gujjar-Bakerwal organizations argued that the entire UT of J&K, with the exception of certain areas in Kathua and Samba districts, is hilly and mountainous. They questioned the validity of the demand for Scheduled Tribe status by the Paharis, who inhabit only the Poonch-Rajouri border belt in Jammu and parts of Kupwara and Baramulla districts in Kashmir. The speakers asserted that such a demand is mischievous and could jeopardize the rights and interests of the tribal communities.
Expressing serious concerns, the leaders warned that granting Scheduled Tribe status to the non-existent Paharis could lead to serious problems in the border-belt areas of Jammu and parts of Kashmir. They urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to reject the demand and assured their fullest support to the tribals, including Gujjars and Bakerwals, as guaranteed under the Indian constitution.
The speakers alleged that the central government is causing distress among the Gujjar and Bakerwal populations by considering the grant of ST status to the so-called Paharis. They cautioned that this move could lead to nationwide protests and disturb peace and prosperity across the country.
While urging the people belonging to Gujjars and Bakerwals to maintain peace, the speakers emphasized the commitment of the Gujjar community to peace, prosperity, and the integrity of the nation. The leaders appealed to the young generation of Gujjars and Bakerwals to compete in every walk of life and contribute to the upliftment of their communities.
The protest and press conference were attended by prominent members of the Gujjar-Bakerwal community, including advocates, scholars, social workers, and local leaders. |
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