Reasi: As members of Gujjar and Bakerwal communities continue to protest against the inclusion of upper-caste Paharis in the Scheduled Tribe list in Jammu and Kashmir, protestor in Reasi district on Monday have come on roads with livestock to oppose the move.
The protesters, including young and senior citizens voiced their demands and carried placard demanding immediate withdrawal of the law that includes upper-caste Pahardis in ST list.
Visuals on social media show protestors assembled at various places along with their livestock (cows, buffalos, goats and sheep) on the road. Earlier, they had threatened to hit the streets along with their cattle if the government of India fails to withdraw bills introduced before parliament.
The bills, once passed, will pave the way for Paharis, Gadda Brahmins and Koli to be included in the ST list in the Union Territory (UT). The goverment of India also intends to include Valmikis in the Schedule Caste list.
The ongoing Monsoon Session of the Parliament has added urgency to the matter, as a bill to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Scheduled Tribe Reservation Act 1989 has been listed.
If passed, the bill will be the first of its kind to grant tribal status to a linguistic group – a fact which has angered the Gujjar and Bakerwal tribes who allege that the government of India is creating a ‘Manipur-like’ situation in Jammu and Kashmir by pitting one community against another.
In 2019, after the government of India read down Article 370, the BJP, which is struggling to find a solid electoral footing in Kashmir Valley, is attempting to make inroads in the Pir Panjal region where it hopes to dent the prospects of the traditional parties like National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party by allegedly creating divisions within Gujjars and Bakerwals, and Paharis.
On December 25, 2019, a delegation of Paharis met the Home Minister of India Amit Shah seeking ST status for the community. In January 2020, the Paharis were given a 4% reservation in the OBC category.
Pertinetly, the tribals of JK are preparing for a mass agitation if the government of India doesn’t roll back its decision. A major protest is being planned in the first week of August in Jammu.
