Saffron alliance wants to promote and empower Gujjar, Bakarwal tribes in J-K

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Saffron alliance wants to promote and empower Gujjar, Bakarwal tribes in J-K

Ravi S Singh
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, August 23

There is a growing chorus, including from within the BJP and its other constituents of the “saffron” camp, for empowerment of the Gujjar and the Bakarwal Scheduled Tribes politically in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

 This is in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcement from the ramparts of Red Fort in his Independence Day address that Assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir would be held after the process of de-limitation in Jammu and Kashmir, which is underway.

 Those in the BJP backing empowerment of the two tribes have also taken it up with higher echelons of party circles.

The measures advocated to bring the two tribal communities in the UT’s political mainstream include reservation of assembly seats in the new set-up after the de-limitation.

The pro Gujjar-Bakarwal section in the saffron camp is of the view that entrenched political parties and vested interests kept the two tribes on the margins right through the period when the controversial Article 370 and Article 35A were in vogue with ulterior motive.

“There is political reservation of seats for STs in legislatures in other parts of the country. In the interest of equity, the polity must be on the square with Gujjar-Bakarwal tribes in Jammu and Kashmir,” Surendra Nagar, the lone Gujjar MP in Rajya Sabha, said.

Nagar, BJP MP, has already made a visit to Jammu and Kashmir and met leaders of the two tribes.

“As per unofficial estimate the number of the two tribes are more than 35 lakh,” Nagar said, and added their demographic profile had be deliberately low-balled by the entrenched powers.

“The rights and voices of such a big chunk had been muzzled and kept under the radar under successive dispensations in Jammu and Kashmir.”

Also, there is a growing demand for setting up “Gujjar Scout” as the front-line force in the Indian Army on the lines of “Ladakh Scout” because the two tribes are organically conversant with the mountainous terrain of Jammu and Kashmir.

A demand for Gujjar Scout or regiment had surfaced during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government when late George Fernandes was the Defence Minister. The demand, however, fell through.

Besides, there is demand for quota policy for them with regard to promotions in government jobs.

The Gujjar-Bakarwal tribes are spread over largely on Srinagar, Anantnag, Kulgam, Baramulla, Pulwama, Ganderbal, Shopian, Bandipora m, especially on the higer reaches in the Kashmir valley.

With regard the Jammu region, they span across area including Reasi, Jammu, Rajouri, Pponch, Sambha, Karhua, Udhampur.

The pitch within the Saffron camp in favour of the two tribes has political angle.The proponents feel that with BJP on a strong footing electorally in Jammu Division, making a dent among groups and communities would shore up the party’s prospects, especially  in Kashmir valley in the UT.