Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 11: Maintaining that the Gujjars of Jammu and Kashmir constitute the largest Muslim tribe of India among the speakers of a programme organized by Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation today stated that this community has immensely contributed in nation building and has a strong role in formation of State’s distinct and plural identity.
The programme was presided over by noted Gujjar scholar Dr Javaid Rahi while youth and elders of tribal community participated in the programme.
Dr Javaid Rahi, in his presidential address, said that this may surprise many but the Hindu Gujjars of 12 States of India played a key role in revival of Gujjar identity in J&K. He said veteran researcher from Haryana Prof Ram Parshad Khatana- Ram Chand Vikal a former Member Parliament and former Union Minister late Rajesh Pilot’s contributions towards tribal status granted to J&K Gujjars in 1991 will be remembered all time to come.
Dr Rahi impressed upon the community leaders, youth and scholars residing in different States to unite for a joint struggle for recognition of tribal identity of Gujjars in country. Though we are one racial identity and the Gujjars of J&K and Himachal Pradesh are classified as a ‘tribe’ but it is surprising in rest of India that they are categorized as ‘caste’ like Jaat and Rajput in ethnic classification of caste and tribes.
He said after conducting an exclusive study carried out among the Hindu and Muslim Gujjars from North-western India by a group of scholars, it was revealed that Hindu and Muslim Gujjars are racially and ethnically one.
The speakers impressed upon all the organistion and institutions dedicated to the cause for Gujjars to work jointly for making the community socially, culturally and educationally vibrant and power full. They pleaded for a united platform to discuss the ethno cultural commonalties among Hindu –Muslim and Sikh Gujjars.
The speakers included , Ch Jamsheed Jazab, Mushtaq Banya, Aziz Hassan, Abdul Rashid Jangal, Arif Dhedadh, Dr Shabir Kassana, Dilnawaz Hussain Chowdhary Ramez, Shafi Dhankar , Karam din Banya and others.
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