Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 8: Pleading that the State Government and civil society should think optimistically towards the issues being faced by the tribes of Jammu and Kashmir – the speakers of a programme here today stated that the ‘reservation’ granted to ST/SC/OBC/RBA/ALC etc is the share of communities proportionate to their population of weaker section in the State services and not an aid at the cost of general category people.
Attended by dignitaries of various groups of reserve categories, the event was organised by Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation and presided over by Dr Javaid Rahi. It was held on the topic ‘ Reservation issues ; Govt and Civil Society”.
In his presidential address, Dr Rahi stated that there is a dearth of positive mindset towards issues of tribes including their education, rehabilitation, socio-cultural and economic empowerment and overall development. He added that ‘reservation’ granted to identified weaker castes, area and tribes in the state or country is based on the share of a community/ area or a caste proportionate to their population and reserve category people are not snatching the rights of others as assumed by non- reserved classes of society.
He said that the concept of reservation was based on share of a identified weaker class, caste ,area or a tribe fall under a category (SC/ST/OBC) and adequate representation is granted to them in a lot of in every ten or twenty people residing in a particular state or area by reserving a percentage of posts in jobs, promotion, Assemblies and Parliament for them to mitigate backwardness of the socially and educationally backward communities.
The other speakers stated that as against 12.9 percent Tribal population the Gujjars and Bakerwals are getting 10 percent quota in the State jobs which is below to their share. They asked the youth to try their luck in private sector or outside country, too.
They further said though the Gujjars-Bakerwals are historically oppressed and denied equal opportunity in society, yet they remained un-represented in nation-building activities. The young generation should focus on new system of attaining knowledge through various resources including internet and new technology. They advised the tribal youth not to isolate themselves from mainstream and work along with other communities like a true struggler.
MR Chouhan, Wariz Mohammad Banya, Shabnum Rafeeq Bajran , Ali Hussain Khatana, Bashir Bajad and Haneef Lodha also spoke on the occasion.
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