Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 17: MJR-47, an organisation of Displaced Persons (DPs) from PoJK have demanded grant of ST status for this community.
In a press statement a spokesman of the organisation said as per media reports, the Govt of India is presenting the bill pertaining to grant Scheduled Tribes status to Pahari speaking people of UTJK in the ensuing Parliamentary session, This is a welcome step that rights of the Paharis of J&K has been acknowledged after long period /after independence.
It is brought to the notice of the Government of India that 1947 PoJK DPs who are equally situated having distinct culture, ethnic and linguistic identity and having Pahari traditions also deserve the Schedule Tribe Status under Pahari category. The Indian constitution till date recognizes the identity of PoJK DPs as belonging to PoJK when PoJK is more towards the high mountains ranges with Pahari language and their non-inclusion in Pahari reservation/ST Status will not only be injustice to PoJK DPs but also against the spirit of Constitution which endeavours to occupy the PoJK area and has also kept J&K Legislative Assembly seats vacant for the area. They are most deserving for Schedule Tribe Status under Pahari category on this account only.
They said numerous PoJK DPs settled temporarily in Poonch, Rajouri and Uri like area are duly covered under PSP category but their relatives settled in rest of J&K or other parts of country have been excluded . Thus conferring ST status as Pahari to some of PoJK DPs settled in Indian territory of Poonch, Rajouri and Uri etc and ignoring the others also settled temporarily in other parts of J&K or the Country will be injustice to the people within the class.
The Domicile Certificates being issued by Govt in favour of DPs of 1947 from PoJK since settled outside UTJK specifically mentions their original residence of Pahari areas of PoJK, having their culture language and Pahari traditions and as such making them eligible for PSP/ST status. It is therefore, requested that All 1947 PoJK DPs irrespective of their location of temporary residence, be accorded the ST status under Pahari category which will help in upliftment of first saviours of J&K.
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