SRINAGAR: Thousands of Gujjar Bakarwals hit the streets in Srinagar, marching towards the Governor’s House to defend their Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The ST Bachao Movement second phase has commenced in Jammu and Kashmir, with the community voicing opposition to the inclusion of Upper Caste Paharis in the Scheduled Tribe list.
“We are not alone; all the Gujjars of India are with us, and we will fight for our rights,” declared Mukhiya Gujjar, a prominent leader from the community, who joined the march alongside Narendra Gurjar, the founder of Akhil Bhartiya Gurjar Mahasabha.
Pertinent to mention, tensions escalated as the ongoing monsoon session of the parliament lists a bill for the amendment of the Jammu and Kashmir Scheduled Tribe Reservation Act 1989. While various groups of Paharis and some members from the ST Morcha of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stationed in Delhi support the bill, the Gujjar Bakarwals fear that it could undermine their rights and representation.
An activist from the community addressed the media, stating, “The real representatives of our community reject those fake representatives who are dancing on the tunes of BJP and selling the community in Delhi. We appeal to all tribal’s and representatives of SC/ST/OBCs across the country to stand with us and save the reservation and the basic structure of our Constitution.”
The Gujjar Bakarwals, the third-largest ethnic group in Jammu and Kashmir, face socioeconomic challenges, including marginalization and a literacy rate below 30%. They assert that Upper Caste Paharis do not fulfil the criteria recommended by the Lokur Committee for designation as a tribe.
“This will go down in history as one of the constitutional blunders and an injustice committed with the marginalized Gujjar Bakarwals of Jammu and Kashmir,” expressed a protester.
Accusations have been raised against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with protesters claiming that the party is playing politics in the region, especially in the Pir Panjal area, where reserved assembly seats are at stake.
“We will not succumb to the pressure mounted by the establishment and will never compromise on the future of our future generations,” another protester vowed.
