Early Times Report
Jammu, Jan 24: The ongoing debate over reservation policies in Jammu and Kashmir has taken a new turn as refugees from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) have raised their voices, demanding inclusion in the ethnic Pahari tribe and full recognition under the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category.
This demand has reignited conversations about fairness, equity, and the challenges faced by the displaced community over the past seven decades.
As all PoJK refugees are Pahari-speaking, they demanded that the community should be treated on par with ethnic Pahari tribe.
In their appeal to the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, and the Chief Minister of the region, PoJK refugees have urged the government to extend full ST benefits to all members of their community. They have criticized the selective granting of ST status, which is currently limited to displaced persons from the Rajouri-Poonch region, as discriminatory and unjust. According to the community, such partial recognition undermines the shared struggles and socio-economic challenges faced by PoJK refugees.
The displaced community, whose roots trace back to the partition of 1947, has endured immense hardships since their forced migration.
Approximately 50,000 families initially came to India as refugees, and over the years, their population has grown to over 12 lakh, with around 10 lakh currently residing in Jammu. Despite their long-standing presence and significant contributions to the region’s socio-economic fabric, PoJK refugees argue that they remain marginalized and deprived of the rights and privileges extended to others in similar circumstances.
One of the central grievances voiced by the community is the inconsistency in how ST status has been granted. Refugees As all PoJK refugees are Pahari-speaking, they are demanding that the community should be treated on par with ethnic Pahari tribe.
PoJK refugees have urged the government to extend full ST benefits to all members of their community.
They have criticized the selective granting of ST status, which is currently limited to displaced persons from the Rajouri-Poonch region, as discriminatory and unjust.
The displaced community, whose roots trace back to the partition of 1947, has endured immense hardships since their forced migration.
This selective approach, they argue, perpetuates inequality and fails to address the challenges faced by all PoJK displaced families, including poverty, limited access to education, and inadequate healthcare.
The refugees’ appeal has gained momentum as they call on the government to recognize the historical and ongoing struggles of their community. They stress that their displacement, triggered by the violence and political turmoil of 1947, has left them in a state of perpetual insecurity and neglect. Despite their significant numbers and contributions to the development of Jammu and Kashmir, they continue to feel sidelined in policy decisions that directly impact their lives.
Leaders from the displaced community have also pointed out that addressing this issue is not just a matter of fairness but also of honoring the principles of justice and equality enshrined in the Indian Constitution. They argue that the government has a responsibility to ensure that no segment of the population is left behind or treated as second-class citizens, especially those who have already suffered the trauma of displacement.
The demand for ST status by PoJK refugees has placed the spotlight on the broader challenges of reservation policies in Jammu and Kashmir. It underscores the need for a comprehensive and inclusive approach that takes into account the historical and social contexts of all marginalized communities. As the debate unfolds, the government’s response will be crucial in determining whether the grievances of PoJK refugees are addressed or whether their struggle for equal treatment will continue. |
