Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, May 31: Pahari leaders belonging to different political and social organisations re-projected their demand of according ST status to the Pahari speaking people.
A seminar was organised here today in this connection in which various leaders of the area participated. Senior BJP leader and MLC Vibodh Gupta presided over. The programme was organised by chief Patron of Rashtariya Pahari Aandolen, Vikrant sharma.
While speaking on the occasion Mr Gupta appealed the people belonging to both communities Gujjar & Paharis to remain united for their common cause. He said that this area has remained neglected in all the fields and need special attention. The MLC appealed Gujjar community to support the Paharis on this issue as their problems are common.
Shahbaz Khan chief executive JKPPM, Vikrant Sharma and Dr Suresh highlighted the problems and miseries of the Pahari community. They said when in June 1989 their case for ST status was recommended by State cabinet at that time some Congress leaders misguided the Centre and created confusion among the people there. They said that some vested interests are becoming road block in achieving the goal.
Shahbaz Khan Said that it was on May 29, 2001 when Dr Farooq Abdullah communicated to Central Government about according ST status to this community. After taking over as Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayed took the matter with Centre and State Cabinet in 2004 recommended it to Centre. In 2005, J&K assembly also passed resolution to provide ST status to this community. Even team deputed by Central Government also strongly recommended the case of Paharis for ST Status. But it could not matured. Khan said that a Standing Committee on Labor and Welfare headed by Dr Susheel Kumar Indora in his report submitted in 2002 to the Government had mentioned “Pahari community residing alongside Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir have similar background and lifestyle like to Gujjars and bakerwals and they should also be given the same status”. Despite all these recommendations and reports, the Government turned deaf ear to this demand.
The prominent speakers included Abdul Qadir, Mohd Sayeed Mughal, Shahid Mughal, Waheed Khan, Shahid Kamlak, Shamim Mughal, Tilak Raj, Rajinder Singh, Tejinder Singh, Danish Mughal, Jawaid Mughal, Amir Mir, Madhur Gupta, Ravinder Singh and Manjit Singh.
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