Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 25: Facing tremendous problems due to nomadic way of life –the members of Gujjars and Bakerwal tribes of Jammu and Kashmir today articulated high hopes on Choudhary Zulfkar Ali, who has been allocated the portfolio of Tribal Affairs, in addition to the subject already assigned to him by the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.
In a programme organized by Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation, the Gujjars demanded introduction of Tribal Rights Act in Jammu and Kashmir which may empowers tribes socially, culturally and economically and end decimations. The programme was presided over by noted tribal scholar Dr Javaid Rahi while a number of tribal dignitaries were the part of the programme.
Dr Javaid Rahi, in his address, termed the establishment of separate tribal ministry a historic step to empower the neglected sections of the society. He stated that Zulfkar Ali Choudhary is a young and dynamic leader of tribal community and the Gujjars have high expectations from him as Minister for Tribal Affairs.
The speakers said that only grant of Scheduled Tribe status in 1991 can’t solely ends the discriminations meted out with Gujjars and Bakerwals since 1947 and stressed upon minister for concrete efforts to change the social status of the tribes and upgrade their life equal to other citizens of State and country.
The speakers said a large chunk of Gujjars and Bakerwals are still unattended and facing extreme poverty, illiteracy, eviction from Government and forest lands and demanded basic amenities for the community such as education, health, drinking water and electricity in difficult geographical area.
The other speakers stated that as against 20 percent ST population in J&K, the Gujjars and Bakerwals and other tribes were getting only 10 percent quota which speaks about the discrimination they are facing. They demanded solid initiatives from ministers to ends the sense of discrimination prevailing among them.
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