Ronik Sharma
The Central Government, under the dynamic leadership of Narendra Modi, is planning to introduce new bills during the forthcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament, which will continue until the 11th of August next month. Among the new bills, one of them is the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Schedule Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023. The bill seeks a revision of the list of Scheduled Tribes in Jammu and Kashmir. The Justice G.D. Sharma Committee Report had already recommended a total of three categories for the conferment of Schedule Tribe status (ST), which include the Pahari Ethnic group (Pahari Tribe), the Paddari tribe, and Koli and Gadda Brahman. The next step in granting Schedule Tribe status is for the Parliament of India to carry out an amendment to the existing act. It is a well-known fact that the Pahari ethnic group (Pahari Tribe) has been demanding and struggling for inclusion in the Schedule Tribe Reservation category for the last four decades, and the Central Government is also getting ready to fulfil its genuine and long-pending demand for the Pahari Ethnic group.
The Central Government is now taking into account the long-standing demand of the Pahari Ethnic Group by reconciling the Pahari and Gujjar and rectifying the rift that was caused by the successive Governments in power in the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir as well as at the Centre. The Pahari ethnic group is widely spread throughout Jammu and Kashmir and some other parts of the country with the majority of its population in the districts of Rajouri and Poonch and the areas that are now under the illegal occupation of Pakistan (POJK). It is known to everyone that Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK) is the area of the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir that has been illegally occupied by Pakistan since 1947. Those who live on the other side of the border, as well as the population of Hindus and Sikhs who were forcibly relocated by Pakistani forces in 1947, speak Pahari today and also belong to the Pahari Ethnic group (Pahari Tribe). Similar to other members of the pahari ethnic group, they share the same culture, ethnic heritage, and language. The Central Government is well aware of the real facts and figures and how grave injustice was done to the Pahari Ethnic Group during the period of the Successive Governments at the centre as well as in the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir. In addition to driving a rift between two brothers (Gujjar and Pahari) for political reasons, the political spectrum also sparked a dispute between the two societal groups. Another significant milestone in the history of Jammu and Kashmir will be the granting of Schedule Tribes Status to the Pahari ethnic group, which would put an end to decades of prejudice between the two. The Pahari ethnic group has always been battling against this prejudice and putting forth this sincere demand. This Message will also go to the other side of the border, showing that India is an inclusive democracy, which Pakistan has failed to provide since independence. In the areas of the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POJK) where Pakistani atrocities and human rights abuses are escalating daily, India’s soft power would be increased. People on both sides of the Line of Control have a strong belief in the charismatic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the amalgamation of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir into India will take place smoothly in the future. Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir is one of India’s unfinished agenda. Granting the Pahari ethnic group Schedule Tribe recognition is another step in the direction of enhancing inclusive democracy. Additionally, this action will put an end to vote-bank politics. Because the majority of the intellectual class of society, the intelligentsia, is in favour of granting Schedule Tribe status to the pahari Ethnic group, this will end the discrimination as well as the conflict that has developed over decades. A proposal in support of the Pahari Ethnic Group was approved by the National Commission for Schedule Tribes a few months ago. The Pahari Ethnic Group was listed on the Schedule Tribe lists in Jammu and Kashmir. The Pahari Ethnic Group applauded the Prime Minister for his outstanding efforts, which he had pledged to make during a speech at a national event on the Red Fort’s ramparts.
Pahari Ethnic Group (Pahari Tribe) has legitimate concerns, and the Central Government is well aware of these concerns and appreciates the significant sacrifices that this patriotic community has made on behalf of the nation. The mission of the Modi-led Government is “Sab Ka Sath Sabka Vikas,” and this time a bill addressing the Pahari ethnic group needs to be passed in both houses in order to enhance this slogan in text and spirit and end the discrimination that the Pahari Ethnic Group (Pahari Tribe) has been facing for decades. There should be no further delay in scheduling this Pahari Ethnic group as a Schedule Tribe category under the Constitution of India. Pahari Ethnic Group is expecting that leaders of our great nation will feel and understand our plight. India is the largest democracy in the world, and its motherland is India. Additionally, it is a democracy that welcomes all citizens, i.e., is inclusive in nature. The nation is witnessing a strengthening of its democratic institutions at every local and grassroot level, as measured in terms of unprecedented growth in the political participation of each and every community. Granting Schedule Tribe status to the Pahari Ethnic group will be a welcome step in the direction of national integration and inclusive democracy.
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