Shamsher Hakla Poonchi
Gujjar-Bakarwal Tribe of J&K is one of the most backward of all tribes of J&K.They have been under this boon of backwardness from the very day of India’s Independence in 1947 to till date. The tribe of Gujjars Bakarwals in this era of development and upliftment, is still educationally, economically, politically and socially backward which is a matter of great concern. Various regional parties of J&K such as Congress, National Conference (N.C) and People’s Democratic Party (P.D.P) which have been operational since Independence of India have not taken any interest for the development and upliftment of Gujjar Bakarwal tribe of J&K. Instead they always tried to put obstacles in the every effort put forward by Govt. of India for the welfare of this Tribe, due to which they have been suffering till today in this bright and opportune era of development.
The need of the hour is to take concrete steps for the welfare and upliftment of Gujjar Bakarwal tribe of J&K on first priority which in true essence will be the development of J&K.
The Gujjar Bakarwal tribe belonging to Islam religion has its habitation in 20 districts of J&K and mostly resides in hilly, far-flung and mountainous areas near forests and on the Indo-Pak LOC and International Border(IB) of J&K with the population of over many lakhs.Most habitation areas of Gujjar Bakarwals tribe in Jammu and Kashmir are lacking in facilities like road communication, electricity, water supply schemes, medical facilities and educational facilities which put Gujjar Bakarwal tribe in lots of hardships and troubles. The previous J&K State Govt.s had not taken any concrete steps to solve their needs and problems and for their welfare and upliftment. The Gujjar Bakarwals tribe has always demanded to govt. for opening of boarding schools in all the district of J&K on the pattern of Nodya Vidyalaya for Boys and Girls student of Gujjar Bakarwal and also for establishing a tribal university in J&K for Gujjar Bakarwal students but the J&K State Govt. did not take their demand to the central Govt. of India. Because of being neglected & discriminated by previous J&K state Govt’s the Gujjar Bakarwals tribe of J&K is unable to step ahead in the education sector.
The educated Gujjar Bakarwal youths of J&K are facing unemployment during the present stage and this all is because of being neglected & discriminated by previous J&K state Governments.
Settled Gujjars are those who are settled at one place and staying in villages and they do agriculture pursuits and live with their animals like buffaloes, cows, goats and sheep.The settled Gujjars at present have started improving in educational, social and economical sectors.
Half settled Gujjars are those who though live in villages and do agriculture profession and live with their animals like buffaloes, cows, goats and sheep. For six months of summer season, the half settled Gujjars go to the heights of hills, mountains and for winter months they move down to the plains.
As far the life of settled and half settled Gujjars of J&K, is concerned, they construct their houses permanently and stay in them but they do agriculture and after winter months, they leave for hill & mountains of Jammu and Kashmir along with their belongings as there they can have sufficient grazing fields for their cattle. These people’s way of life is different from Bakarwals. In all fields of life, mostly, their houses are constructed of mud which are called ‘Kotha”.
Nomadic Gujjars are (Landless and Homeless) can be divided in two tribes, Dodhi Gujjars and Bakarwal Gujjars. First tribe of Nomadic Gujjars is known as “Dodhi” or “Banyara” Gujjars. These people keep buffaloes and lead a nomadic life. In winter season, these people stay in Reasi, Udhampur and Kathua Districts of J&K. Some Dodhi Gujjars go up to Jammu Distt. of J&K, Pathankot and Gurdaspur Districts of Punjab state also. When the summer sets in, these people start moving to the heights of mountains where green grass is available sufficiently for their cattle. They sell milk and ghee for their sustenance. In this unsettled life it is very difficult for those people to educate their children. So these people cannot compete with other communities in the field of education and are far behind in respect of education of centuries, in the laps of hills and on the banks or rivers.
The nomadic Bakerwals:- Most of the Bakarwals are homeless and landless wandering in the open. They do not have any house but only a tent and that tent is also made of several old pieces of cloth. Inside the tent there is family, tired and burdened by life’s chores. Children are lying naked and crying. They have kept some handmade woolen clothes. One wonders if their hardships are known to the world. Their animals are scattered over the hills and can get killed by harsh climate. Bakerwals come under first line and are famous for their courage, bravery and hospitality.
Recognizing the backwardness of Gujjar Bakarwal tribe of J&K. Govt. of India granted scheduled tribe status to Gujjars Bakarwals under ordinance No. 03 of 1991 under article 342 of constitution of India on April 19, 1991, So far their participation in the UT administrative and political setupof J&K is concerned under scheduled tribe status norms, there should have been reservation of assembly segment and Lok Sabha Segments for Gujjar Bakarwal in J&K but it did not happen any where in J&K by previous J&K state Govt. It is a big injustice to Gujjar Bakarwals. In J&K there are 31 (thirty one) state assembly segments out of 87 (eighty seven) assembly segment of J&K and 2 (two) Lok sabha segments out of 6 (six) Lok Sabha segments of J&K which are inhabited by Gujjar Bakarwal tribe, and such segments should be reserved for Gujjar Bakarwal tribe because of schedule tribe status but due to indifferent attitude of the J&K state Govt, the Gujjar Bakarwal tribe stands deprived of this political reservation right. It would be appropriate to mention here that all the efforts made by Govt. of India for the development and welfare of Gujjar Bakarwal tribe of J&K , have been deliberately obstructed by the previous J&K state Govt.s headed by National Conference, Congress Party and Peoples Democratic Party for the past many decades which resulted in the utter political, educational, social and economical backwardness of Gujjar Bakarwals tribe of Jammu and Kashmir.
Presently the need of the hour and requirement for development and welfare of Gujjars Bakarwals is to establish a Tribal Development Council in J&K with the financial and developmental power by the Govt. of India.
In the past, general census were conducted by the Govt.during 2001 & 2011 in summer season but during that time, some of the Gujjar Bakarwals along with their families and livestock moves towards the hilly mountains(Dhoks) of J&K state and because of this reason, whole population could not by enlisted.
So, now the Govt.should conduct a new special census during the winter season, so that the exact population of Gujjar Bakarwal Tribe of J&K can be found.
(The author is a Gujjar leader)
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