Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 10: All Jammu and Kashmir Gujjar-Bakkerwal Coordination Committee today said that only 12 ST communities declared as STs in 1989 and 1991 are entitled for the political reservation in the Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a press conference here today, Mohd Anwar Chowdhary (adv), Chairman of the Coordination Committee said that they have come forward for the protection of the political reservations granted to 12 ST groups declared in 1989-91. It was also sought to clarify that only the ST groups classified as ST-I are eligible to contest the reserved ST seats in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections.
He referred to the report of Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai Commission which came into force on May 20, 2022 and said that Desai Commission has reserved 9 seats for 12 ST communities of J&K. This report added 6 additional seats to Jammu and Kashmir taking the total tally to 90 seats. Nine constituencies reserved for STs are-Mendhar, Surankote, Budhal, Thannamandi, Rajouri, Gulabgarh, Kangan, Kokernag and Gurez.
In 2024, four more groups were granted separate Scheduled Tribe status in the Jammu and Kashmir. They are Pahari ethnic group, Paddri Tribe, Gadda Rahman and Koli. Under ST-II separate 10 % reservation has been granted to the Pahari ethnic group and the three other groups.
The sub-classification was enforced by the J&K Government with newly entered groups as ST-II with an additional 10 % reservation. Under these provisions, individuals classified under ST-II are not eligible to apply for reserved Assembly seats.
The speakers further said that they have already submitted representations to the Chief Election Commission of India, Union Home Minister, concerned Union Ministry and the Lt Governor of J&K.
Prominent Gujjar leaders- Bashir Ahmed Noon. Showkat Gujjar, Aslam Khan, Zafar Iqbal, Mohd Azam, Jameel Chowdhary and others also spoke on the occasion.
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