Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 19: Seeking enhancement of quota seats in all universities and colleges of Jammu and Kashmir for admission of Gujjar-Bakerwals students at various level- the Scheduled Tribe Community members today demanded reservation to them proportionate to their population with regard to the respective region where the university or college exists.
They were speaking in a programme organized here by Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation, to discuss various aspects of “Admission Issues- Quota for STs and Gujjars of J&K”.
Well-known researcher on Gujjars affairs, Dr Javaid Rahi, presided over the programme. He informed that the Foundation has written to Vice Chancellors for immediate enhancement of seats for Gujjar-Bakerwals students.
Mr Rahi said that the Foundation will shortly establish a guidance cell in the State to guide community youths in getting admissions, jobs under ST category in the country in general and in State in particular. He also asked Gujjar-Bakerwals students to opt for other National Universities for admission and be focused on competitive exams.
The speakers on the occasion explained that there is six percent reservation presently for Gujjars/Bakerwals for admission in Government professional colleges of J&K ( against 14.9 percent population of them in the State as per census 2011), five percent in University of Jammu (as against 21 percent population in the province and the Gujjars-Bakerwals share the percent seats with Gaddis, Sippis and Baltis ) and three percent in Kashmir University which was clubbed with STs from this year (as against 11 percent population in the region).
The speakers said presently no University or college of the State was providing Gujjar-Bakerwal quota proportionate to the population as they constitute more than 20 percent of total population of State and demanded immediate enhancement in quota at all levels in J&K Universities and Colleges to safeguard the constitutional guarantees to tribes.
Those who spoke, included Dil Nawaz Choudhary, Naveed Khatana, Amir Ali, Chechi, M S Arif, Kher-ud-Din Chowdhary, Noushad Chowdhary and others.
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