Historic: Govt grants ST reservation to Paharis, others in J&K
Aman Zutshi
Jammu: In a historical move, the Central govt on Wednesday granted 10% ST reservation to Pahari community, Paddari tribe, Gadda tribal Brahmans and Koli tribal community. However, the govt has strictly maintained that it will not dilute the ST reservation granted earlier to Gujjars, Bakarwals, Gaddis, Sippis and Sheenas in J&K.
Talking to JK Media, the J&K BJP President Ravinder Raina said, “The former regimes treated Gujjars and Bakarwals as slaves they were subjected to atrocities”.
Also Read: We can cross LoC if needed in future: Rajnath Singh
“Gujjars and Bakarwals got their rights when BJP’s regime came into power. The Forest lands right came into being in other Indian states 40-50 years ago.
“While it was not implemented in J&K if the former govts wanted they could have granted forest lands to tribal communities by passing a bill in assembly who got ST earlier where they were living.
“They were given land rights under the Governor and BJP rule they were also given political rights.
“In 2009, the people of Gujjar , Bakarwals, Gaddis, Sippis and Sheenas Kabila were betrayed by then ruling political parties,
“The inter-district recruitment granted to ST’s was abolished which was backed by NC, Congress and PDP. It created a pandemonium that time in the assembly.
“Then we ‘BJP’ opposed this law and in 2019 this atrocious law was erased by our govt. PM Modi has deliver justice to people of Gujjar & Bakarwal community.
“For seventy years these people were treated as slaves. The PM Modi has a vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Saath’.
“HM Amit Shah has said that they will grant ST to Paharis without disturbing rights of Gujjars and Bakarwals.
“The former J&K rulers used to pit Paharis and other STs with eachother. The Paharis and Gujjars and Bakarwals have married each other and have lived with bonhomie but the former rulers used to instigate them against each other.
“The ST reservation of Gujjars, Bakarwals, Gaddis, Sippis and Sheenas is not disturbed and is intact as it is.
“I congratulate to Paharis and other tribal communities also that everyone has got reservation without withdrawing anyone’s”, said J&K BJP President Ravinder Raina.
“The ST reservation for Pahari communities have been passed by the govt in the parliament along with OBC bill which included new 42 castes in J&K as this interview is being taken”, he asserted.
“The former govts only did atrocities with tribal communities in J&K
