Gujjar and Bakerwal communities have opposed the decision to include Paharis (Pahari speaking) in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category in Jammu and Kashmir.
For decades, Gujjars and Bakerwals (nomads belonging to the majority community in Jammu and Kashmir) have been living mostly close to mountains and forests and drawing their sustenance from nature. The two communities were granted ST status in 1992 by the Congress government at the Centre to empower them. It raised their social-economic and political status immensely.
However, the decision by the BJP government to add Paharis to the ST category in the Union Territory has alarmed them. They fear the inclusion of Paharis in the ST list will negatively impact their prospects of securing government jobs and admission to educational institutions. They believe the move will also cost them politically, too.
The BJP government will introduce the bill to add Paharis to the ST category in the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament.
Last evening, dozens of members of Gujjar and Bakerwal communities took out a torch rally in Jammu city against the Centre’s proposal. Gujjar leader Chaudhary Talib said non-tribals are being given tribal status which is ‘unconstitutional’.
“Today, in the world’s largest democracy, attempts are being made to introduce several undemocratic laws into the Constitution.” He said the Constitution defines clearly who is a tribal.
He said the Commission headed by Justice (retired) G.D. Sharma, a Gaddi Brahmin, recommended Scheduled Tribes (ST) status to non-tribals, including Gaddi Brahmins.
Chaudhary Talib said the government wants to create a Manipur-like situation in Jammu and Kashmir because all its claims justifying Article 370 removal have proven to be a farce.
“ We were promised house colonies but nothing happened,” he said.
He said the Dogras of Jammu were told they have been freed after 70 years, but today even their right to extract and sell sand for a living has been snatched.
Another protester said the BJP is trying to give the benefit of reservation to well-to-do Paharis.
“We want to caution the government that if they tinker with the reservation category, Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes will also agitate,” he said.
Another protester, a girl, said they will not accept the inclusion of Paharis in the ST category and will go to any length to defend their right.
R.K. Kalsotra, state president, All India Confederation of SC/ST/OBC Organisations, said ST /SC and OBC were identified under a proper schedule and then included in the Constitution.
“The Paharis are not there because they were not deprived,” he said. “Some of the Paharis are upper caste Hindus like Brahmins and Bukharis among Muslims.”
He said Paharis getting ST status will be detrimental to Gujjar, Bakerwal, SCs and OBCs. “Because of their better economic position, they will dominate the government jobs in the general category and reserved category.”
The Delimitation Commission after the repeal of Article 370 reserved nine seats for ST in the assembly and seven for SC.
Observers believe ST status to Paharis is a bait to the community by the BJP to woo them.
