Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 13: The residents of Rajouri and Poonch have formally requested the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir to extend Scheduled Tribe (ST) benefits to girls married to ST boys and ST girls married to non-ST boys.
They argued that the current legal framework unfairly excludes these women from the protections and opportunities afforded to their spouses.
In their letter to the LG, they noted that while the Constitution and various laws aim to support and uplift Scheduled Tribes, the system often fails to address the needs of women affected by their marital status.
“Non-ST women who marry into ST families face significant cultural and social adjustments but do not receive the benefits available to their ST family members,” read their letter addressed to the LG.
“Meanwhile, ST women who marry outside their community typically lose their ST status and the associated benefits, leading to potential discrimination and fewer opportunities,” the letter further read.
The residents of twin border districts have urged that the benefits of ST status be extended to non-ST women who marry into ST families and that ST women retain their status and benefits after marrying non-ST men.
They also proposed awareness programs to educate these women about their rights and available resources.
“Such measures would advance social justice and equality, reflecting the Constitution’s goals of empowerment and inclusion,” observed the residents of Rajouri and Poonch.
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