Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 18: In the backdrop of a number of incidents and the statements issued thereafter by certain groups and people against tribal community, the leaders of Gujjar tribe of Jammu and Kashmir today stated that their community belongs to India and does not need a certificate of nationalism and patriotism from anyone.
In a programme organised by Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation, they stated that 100 per cent population of Gujjar in J&K are Muslims but of Indians.
“We have given our blood to this nation and we do not need certificates of being Indian from any group or people”, they said.
The programme was presided over by noted scholar of Gujjar community Dr Javaid Rahi while a number of tribal elders, writers and youth were present. Prevailing situation in Jammu region vis-à-vis issues of Tribal Gujjars and Bakerwals were discussed in the programme.
Dr Javaid Rahi in his presidential address stated that Gujjars constitute second largest group in Jammu region after Dogras and have immensely contributed to the overall peace and posterity of the State. He stated that in extremely testing times they stand with the people of the region but there are some forces which are now hell bent to break this age old unity and brotherhood.
He said that the communal forces in Jammu region has wrongly given a chance to separatists to react on Gujjar affairs in Jammu and this is not in the interest of State and the country.
He appealed to the leaders and the intellectuals of both the community to come forward and bind these communities together. He stated that Jammu people are very kind to Gujjars but some dividing forces must be identified and alienated at the earliest.
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