2 BJP MLAs stage walkout from J&K Legislative Assembly; allege denial of tribal benefits to Paharis

Two BJP MLAs, Dr Narinder Singh Raina and Arvind Gupta, staged a walkout from the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Thursday, alleging that the government was not issuing Scheduled Tribe (ST-II) certificates to members of the Pahari community residing in the plain areas of Jammu.

Raising the issue in the House, Dr Raina asked whether ST reservations were being implemented uniformly across the Union Territory.

In its reply, the government stated that the ST-I reservation is being implemented uniformly across the entire UT of J&K. “The reservation under the ST-II category is not region-based or area-specific but is granted on the basis of Pahari ethnicity to various groups,” the government said.

It further clarified that the extension of ST-II reservation benefits to the Pahari ethnic group is based on their ethnic, cultural and linguistic identity, and not on regional considerations. “It is consistent with constitutional principles of equality, fairness and non-discrimination,” the government maintained on the floor of the House.

However, Raina and Gupta expressed dissatisfaction with the response and walked out, alleging that members of the Pahari community living in Jammu and other plain areas were being denied ST-II certificates.

Multiple communities, including members of the Pahari ethnic group, were granted ST-II status in February 2024 following long-standing demands. The government created a separate ST-II category after Gujjars and Bakerwals—already beneficiaries under the ST category—opposed extending the same quota to Paharis. Consequently, Gujjars and Bakerwals were placed in ST-I, while the newly included groups were categorised under ST-II.

The issue led to a heated exchange between BJP legislators and National Conference MLA Aijaz Jan, who opposed extending reservation benefits to Pahari families residing outside hilly areas.

Speaking to the media outside the Assembly, Dr Raina alleged that ST-II certificates were not being issued to eligible individuals living in plain areas. “On the other hand, ST-I certificates are being issued across the Union Territory, even to those residing in urban areas. This is injustice to the Pahari community,” he said.

He further accused the government of being unaware of ground realities. “Members of the Pahari community are living in various parts of Jammu and other plain areas but are not being issued certificates. As per rules, ST-II status is to be granted on the basis of ethnicity. The government is misleading the House on this issue,” Raina alleged.

Meanwhile, PDP MLA Waheed Para called for rationalisation of the reservation policy in J&K. “Sixty per cent of the population is getting only 40 per cent of the opportunities. Reservation should be proportionate to population,” he said.

CPM MLA MY Tarigami also emphasised the need to balance social justice with merit. “Reservation should benefit oppressed sections, but merit should not be discouraged at any cost. I urge the government to rationalise the reservation framework. I will bring a resolution in the Assembly, and if it is discussed, we will press for rationalisation,” he said.