Early Times Report
DODA, Apr 30: The Pahari dwellers of chenab region issues a strong and unequivocal appeal to the government led by Omar Abdullah to immediately bring the regions of Saraz, Bhaderwah, Bhalessa, Pogal-Paristan, Bonjwah, Dachhan, Marwah, and Warwan under the ambit of the Pahari ethnic group.
This is not merely a demand-it is a question of justice long denied. The people of these mountainous and historically marginalized regions have, for decades, remained excluded despite fulfilling every established benchmark laid down by the Lokur Committee. The continued exclusion reflects a systemic oversight that must now be corrected with urgency and political will.
The Lokur Committee criteria-geographical isolation, distinct culture, backwardness, and limited interaction with mainstream systems-are not abstract principles but lived realities in Chenab Valley. The terrain of Dachhan, Marwah, Warwan, and Bhalessa remains cut off for months due to snowbound routes and lack of infrastructure. Census indicators clearly reflect sparse population distribution, poor connectivity, and minimal access to essential services, confirming deep-rooted geographical isolation.
Culturally, the region stands as a stronghold of indigenous Pahari traditions. From language to lifestyle, from social organization to folklore, the identity of these communities is deeply embedded in the broader Pahari ethos. Western Pahari dialects dominate daily communication, and traditional institutions continue to govern social life, demonstrating a distinct and preserved cultural framework.
The socio-economic condition of these regions further reinforces their eligibility. Census data highlights low literacy rates, particularly among women, high unemployment, limited institutional access, and dependence on subsistence agriculture and pastoral livelihoods. Health and education infrastructure remain inadequate, and economic mobility is severely restricted. These are not isolated issues but systemic indicators of backwardness.
Moreover, the people of these regions continue to experience limited integration with mainstream administrative and economic systems. The lack of roads, digital access, and institutional presence has created a situation where communities rely heavily on traditional structures, reflecting the modern interpretation of "shyness of contact" as defined in policy frameworks.
Dr. Javed Katoch stated that the denial of recognition to these regions is not just an administrative lapse but a serious social injustice. He emphasized that the people of Chenab Valley are equal stakeholders in the Pahari identity and must be granted the same recognition and constitutional safeguards as others already included.
The Pahari Core Committee warns that continued inaction will deepen the sense of alienation among the people. It urges the government to act decisively by initiating a transparent, evidence-based process for inclusion, backed by census data, ethnographic studies, and ground realities.
This is a defining moment. Recognition of these regions under the Pahari ethnic group is not a concession-it is a rightful acknowledgment of identity, history, and lived reality. The government must rise above delay and deliver justice where it is long overdue. Those who raised the voice include Sadaket malik, MA Katoch, Ashraf katoch, Jugesh Thakur, Sanjay Thakur, Rajad Bhaderwahi, Sakun Manir and many others. |
