Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 27: Enraged over the Centre and State Govts and BJP in particular for deplorably failing to accord ST status and reservation in Government jobs to ‘Kolis’ along with the Pahari speaking people, Panther Party workers, spearheaded by JKNPP chairman Harsh Dev Singh, held a protest demonstration, here today at Exhibition Ground Jammu.
The Panthers activists raised slogans for reservation to Kolis and also against BJP, which has been ignoring the said community belonging to Jammu region only.
Flaying the saffron party in particular for betraying the Kolis despite commitments made with them during Assembly elections, Harsh Dev divulged that while the State cabinet of erstwhile BJP-PDP had recommended the grant of ST status to Pahari speaking people during its rule, it blatantly ignored Kolis despite its incorporated commitment in the “Agenda of Alliance” on page no. 10 in clause F of point no. 27. He regretted that even the communiqués of the Union Govt and PM Office on the subject were ignored by the State Government for unknown reasons.
“While the Paharies who predominantly inhabit District Baramulla, District Anantnag and Kupwara of Kashmir valley besides some pockets of Rajouri and Poonch have been granted 3 percent reservation in Government jobs by amending the J&K Reservation Act, the Kolis who inhabited the far flung areas of District Kathua, District Udhampur, District Doda and District Ramban have been neglected and made to suffer miserably,” Harsh deplored.
Harsh Dev Singh explained that Koli and Sippis belong to the same family having same culture, occupation, language, economic and social status and residing in hilly area having negligible land owner ship and are dependent upon rearing of animals. “While the grant of ST status to Gaddis, Sippis and Paharies is praiseworthy, the omission and neglect of Koli’s needed to be rectified,” he said and called for necessary corrections in the Revenue records so that errors and mistakes are rectified and justice ensured to Kohlis.
Singh further brought to the notice of the Governor that Dy Commissioners of Kathua, Udhampur, Doda and Ramban have all recommended the grant of ST status to Kolis earlier through the official letters addressed to Commissioner Secretary Social Welfare Department. He urged upon the Constitutional head of the State to take cognizance of the neglect of Kolis and ensure justice to the tribal community who literally deserved to be accorded ST status without any delay.
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