Paharis in ST list: As protests gain steam, ex-Gujjar MLAs urge Centre to step in

The signatories to the statement included Mohammad Akram Lassanvi, Qamar Hussain, Javed Ahmed Rana, all former MLAs. Others included former ministers Ajaz Ahmed Khan, Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali, and Mian Altaf Ahmed Larvi.

The Centre had introduced a Bill proposing inclusion of Pahari community, Padri tribe, Gadda Brahmin and Koli into the list of STs. (Representational image/File)

Listen to this article

00:00

1x 1.5x 1.8x

Former Gujjar legislators on Tuesday expressed concern over widespread demonstrations held by the tribal community across Jammu and Kashmir in protest against the Central Government’s recent decision to include Pahari community and Padri tribe into the list of Scheduled Tribes.

“We are deeply concerned and utterly bewildered by the prevailing situation,” they said in a joint statement here, appealing to the Union Government and the UT Administration to “sincerely and proactively engage with and address the concerns of Gujjar-Bakerwal tribe about their rights and welfare”.

They also requested the Union Government “to arrive at participative decisions on sensitive issues that have potential of disturbing inter-community relations in J&K”.

The signatories to the statement included Mohammad Akram Lassanvi, Qamar Hussain, Javed Ahmed Rana, all former MLAs. Others included former ministers Ajaz Ahmed Khan, Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali, and Mian Altaf Ahmed Larvi.

The Centre had introduced a Bill proposing inclusion of Pahari community, Padri tribe, Gadda Brahmin and Koli into the list of STs. Gujjars and Bakerwals, the third largest ethnic group after Kashmiri Muslims and Dogra in Jammu and Kashmir, are opposed to the government move.

ALSO READ | Who are the Paharis and Paddaris, proposed for ST status in J&K?

Gujjars and Bakerwals were declared ST by the Centre in 1991 along with two similar communities, Gaddis and Sippis, giving them 10 per cent reservation in government jobs and educational institutions, including professional colleges.

However, they were given political reservation in 2019 with the reservation of nine Assembly seats for them.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Tags:
Scheduled Tribes