Amid ST row, admn reaches out to Gujjars, Bakarwals ahead of LS polls

Arjun Sharma

Jammu, February 9

In a bid to woo Gujjars and Bakarwals and pacify their anger ahead of Lok Sabha polls, the J&K administration has started major outreach efforts to assure the community that the Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to Paharis and other groups will not affect their quota.

The administration has assured that the Gjjars and Bakarwals, who already enjoy the ST status, will continue to get their share of 10 per cent reservation. The Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024, has been passed in both Houses of Parliament, which gives ST status to the Pahari ethnic group, Paddari tribe, Koli and Gadda Brahmins.

QuotA for Pahari community

• Gujjars, Bakarwals are angry with the Union Govt over passing of the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024
• J&K admn has now started outreach efforts to assure them that ST status to Paharis and other groups will not affect their quota
• Outreach in form of advertisements has started after the Centre asked the UT admn to clear the air about the Bill

It has been learnt that the outreach in form of advertisements has started after the Central government asked the UT administration to clear the air over the recent Bill in front of public. Gujjars and Bakarwals form a major vote bank and are considered to be the key for Anantnag constituency of Kashmir division where Rajouri and Poonch district of Jammu region have been added after delimitation. Gujjars and Bakarwals have significant population in both districts which the BJP is eyeing for the upcoming elections.

The administration in advertisement is also highlighting that at present communities getting benefits of ST reservation include Balti, Beda, Bot, Boto, Brokpa, Drokpa, Dard, Shin, Changpa, Garra, Mon, Purigpa, Gaddi, Sippi besides Gujjar and Bakarwal. The J&K administration is stressing that the additional and proportionate reservation will be provided separately for the four new additions in the list.

Interestingly, Union Home Minister Amit Shah in October 2022 had announced ST status for Paharis after which Gujjars and Bakarwals had expressed their discontent.

Police and intelligence agencies were also keeping an eye on the situation and have warned of action in case of objectionable or misleading posts on social media.