*Opposes grant of ST status to Paharis
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 28: While opposing grant of ST status to Paharis, All J&K Gujjar-Bakerwal Organisations’ Coordination Committee today declared to organise Maha Panchayat of Gujjar-Bakkerwal community in Jammu on December 3, 2023.
Addressing a joint press conference here today Anwar Choudhary, convenor of the Coordination Committee said that to deliberate on the burning issues of the Gujjar-Bakerwal community this Maha-Panchayat is being organised on December 3 at 10:00 A.M at the JDA Ground, opposite Director Information office, near Railway Road (Rail Head Complex), Jammu.
The representatives of various social organisations, social activists and various speakers highlighted their demands and problems. They stressed upon the Central Government to allay the apprehensions of granting of ST status to the non- deserving people of J&K.
Anwar Choudhary (Adv) said that by creating the issue of grant of ST status to ‘so called’ Paharis, there is disenchantment among the ST people of not only in Jammu and Kashmir but in the entire country, particularly among the Gujjar community from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. He said that move to grant ST status to Paharis may have some bad consequences amongst the Gujjar community which can result in some sort of social disturbance.
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The co-convenor of the Coordination Committee Bashir Ahmed Noon lamented that though the Forest Rights Act 2006 has been promised to be implemented in the J&K Union Territory vis-à-vis the ST people, the same has not been implemented on the ground, and people of the Gurjar Bakerwal community are continuing to be harassed. The UT Government has been promising to allot 5 Marlas of land to the landless people of J&K but ignoring the fact that Gujjar Bakerwal having flocks of hundred and thousands of cattle and their needs cannot be catered to by a mere five Marlas of land. The Govt should make a suitable permanent settlement plan for the Nomads of the Gujjar Bakerwal Community.
The speakers further alleged that instead of rehabilitating the Gujjar Bakerwals, the authorities like the Forest Department, JDA and other agencies are demolishing the houses of the ST people and uprooting them from their homes and hearts.
Jameel Choudhary and Sayeed Choudhary, the representatives of Dhodi Gujjar community have expressed their grave concern for not allotting the land that is in their possession and rather or being deprived of their existing shelters.
Opposing grant of ST status to Paharis, the Gujjar leaders stressed upon the Govt to reject the report of the GD Sharma Commission.
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