Take steps to save tribal identity, say Gujjars

Tribune News Service

Jammu, September 23

The Gujjars and Bakerwals, the main tribal groups of Jammu and Kashmir, on Sunday said there was a need to safeguard their socio-political and ethno-cultural identity by granting them rights as enjoyed by other tribes in the country.

They were participating in a seminar organised by the Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation on “Tribal Rights in India — An overview of state of J&K”.

During the seminar, speakers pointed out that the Constitution bestowed special rights on tribals, like political reservation under Article 334. To empower them, they were also given rights under various laws such as the Forest Rights Act, SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, Rehabilitation Act, and Conservation Act. However, these Acts have still not been extended to J&K. “There is no special Article, right and provision mentioned for the tribal groups in the state constitution. Other states of India give special rights to nomadic people to protect their distinctiveness,” said Javaid Rahi, an expert.