Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, July 30: Agitated over the Government move of granting ST status to Paharis, Universal Gujjar and Bakkerwal Welfare Association today held a peaceful Tribal Bachao March, here today.
The march was taken out from Ambedkar Chowk Udhampur to Jakhaini Chowk and culminated with handing over a memorandum addressed to Prime Minister of India through District Administration.
A large number of tribal people along with buffalos, goats, horses and dogs participated in the march. UGBWA Youth Wing President Ashfaq Ahmed, President Student Wing Zaffer Iqbal and Tribal March President Rafi Bania led the protest march.
During the march, prominent persons of the community, including Haji Siraj Din and Adv Shabnam addressed the media and strongly appealed to the Centre and UT Govt not to add any non-ST to ST category which, they said, is totally unacceptable.
They also appealed to all the ST, SC and all reserve category communities to support Tribal Bachao March which is being held in different parts of the UT and also other parts of the country. They also warned to the Govt that if their concerned is not addressed, they will start march to Jantar Mantar along with livestock and they are ready to sacrifice everything for the safeguard of their constitutional right.
Many other organizations also supported the march and peaceful protest. Govind Chalotra, founder of Ambedkar Trust; Tara Nath, President Ambedkar Trust; Ram Lal, Pardhan Kabir Sabha; Moti Ram, Pardhan Nabha Sabha and Kaka Ram, Pardhan Guru Ravi Dass Sabha also appealed the Central Govt not to take such unconstitutional steps which lead to uncertainty in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir.
Many prominent persons of the ST and SC community, including Farooq Ahmed, Mohd Salim, Parvez and many others also took part in the march.
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