Talib Hussain
Although Gujjar and Bakerwal strived hard to get justice after grant of Scheduled Tribe Status in 1991 by Government of India but no Government in the state delivered justice to them and nobody came forward to change the living condition.
Everybody in 25 years used this community for vote bank and the community in return gets nothing except assurances from every dispensation. However the struggle of justice started giving fruits in 2015 after 67 years of Independence of India, when then Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed created Tribal Ministry to deal issues of tribals. This was first decision of Mufti Government which was highly appreciated by all especially nomads. The portfolio was allotted to a dynamic Gujjar leader Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali who showed outstanding performance in 10 months but the rule ended with imposition of Governor rule after death of Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on January 7, 2016. However when the new dispensation took over, Mehbooba Mufti, the Chief Minister allotted this portfolio again to Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali and in just 9 hours, she withdrew the same and kept it with her. No reason of withdrawal was given but the same has created huge resentment among tribals and the issue has now become a mystery. The decision of withdrawal has put big question mark on the sincerity of present dispensation for the welfare of Gujjars and Baklerwals.
It is worth mentioning that people had easy access to top boss of the Department but now doors of power corridor seemed to be closed for the people of Gujjar and Bakerwals. I have personally seen every nomad from remote corners of the state approaching Tribal Minister earlier and sorting out issues. Now a poor nomad can neither approach the office like Chief Minister nor their issues will be given any heed due to extra engagements of top office which will ultimately result in alienation of this community and it will also not serve the purpose for which former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had created this Ministry.
It was during 2014 elections when Mufti Mohammad Sayeed assured tribal people of delivering justice to them. Shocked over the plight of Gujjar and Bakerwals in far flung areas, Mufti expressed desire to do something to change the life style and socio economic condition of tribals and is that is why Peoples Democratic Party listed creation of Tribal department for welfare of this community. When PDP won maximum seats and they started deliberation with BJP to form Government, Mufti got the issue of creation of Tribal Ministry incorporated in Common Minimum Programme (Agenda of Alliance).
PDP and BJP Government was formed on March 1, 2015 and first decision of this government was creation of Tribal Ministry for which the community was struggling for the last 67 years.
Everybody knows that Gujjars and Bakerwals in the state are the poorest, living in sordid conditions, have no access to education as they are of migratory characters. There was need to formulate sustainable poverty eradication programme for migratory tribes as they deserved special attention due to toughest lifestyle, lacking economic freedom and food security owing to low-income and deficiency of resources.
The literacy rate of Gujjar Bakerwal population is low as compared to the other communities. The basic reason is that, most of the Gujjar and Bakerwal population is of nomadic nature and due to non availability of sufficient schooling facility in high altitude areas where this community used to go during summer for grazing their cattles. Though the Education Department has provided some Mobile schools which have proved fruitful to some extent in increasing the literacy rate among tribal Population of J&K, but a large number of tribal population is still without this facility at present. Malnutrition is also big problem with the nomadic population.
This community got little relief in 1991 when they were granted ST category and schemes were launched by State and Central Governments to uplift them socially, economically, educationally and culturally but it did not give them much relief as there was no department to directly deal with the issues of tribals.
Former Chief Minister was well aware about all this and thus he wanted to came forward change the situation of these migratory population. His vision was clear when he chaired first meeting of Advisory Board for Gujjar and Bakerwal at Sher-i- Kashmir International Convention Centre Srinagar where he emphasised upon making economically-weak and socially-disadvantaged communities equal partners in state’s development. His words were “My Government has created a separate Tribal Affairs Ministry to ensure empowerment of weaker sections, especially Gujjars and Bakerwals”. He placed high priority on allocating certain portion of funds in departmental plans for upliftment of Gujjars and Bakerwals.
The previous Mufti led government was also sincere to change the educational scenario of Gujjar and Bakerwals. Mufti was not satisfied with the functioning of Hostels. For the posting of Wardens in Gujjar and Bakerwal Hostels, he directed to constitute a Committee afresh and directed that only officers with excellent academic/ administrative record be posted as Wardens who will provide core guidance and motivation to the hostel inmates for their overall development. Regarding diets for inmates of Gujjar and Bakerwal, Mufti enhanced rates for diet and other allied charges for inmates of Gujjar Bakerwal hostels from Rs 50 to Rs 100.
First time in 25 years, Gujjar and Bakerwal community started receiving attention of Government. The Department of Tribal Affairs started the journey from zero kilometre and it was great to see it a full fledged department in the state just in few months. The Department started functioning in full swing like other established departments. Attention was focused on welfare of Gujjars.
Although the department was like new born baby, yet it started taking up the issues of tribals like a mature one. Department managed Rs 45 crore funds from Centre for the welfare of tribals of state. It also managed Rs 20 crore funds for TSP and for the first time TSP funds were used for development of educational scenario of community. It also happened after a long time that Scheduled Tribe students got scholarship well in time. Girls Hostel of Srinagar was not having any building but Department got acquired land at Harvan and started construction. It also managed new Hostel including one ST Girls Hostel at Rajouri. Tribal Ministry was keen in the food menu of the inmates in Hostels and is why the Department took up the matter with Chief Minister and got menu of food changed and doubled from Rs 50 to Rs 100 per student a day. Now the department was focussing on a plan for rehabilitation of landless Gujjar and Bakerwals and the matter already stood discussed with Governor NN Vohra for providing houses to landless and houseless Gujjars.
If we compare 10 months with 67 years, Gujjars received more attention in 10 months and their every issue become a force because the command was under the dynamic leadership of Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali who do not even sleep in 10 months and worked so hard to give a track to the just born baby – Tribal Ministry. In these months, the speed of works was predicting that this department will soon bring a new revolution for tribal community but all of a sudden Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed died on January 7, 2016 and state came under Governor rule which resulted in status quo on the activities of tribal department.
When PDP and BJP again started parleys to form new Government, Gujjar and Bakerwals were waiting the moment of similar justice which previous Mufti Government was doing with them but there seemed change in priorities. Now Mufti is not on chair. Change of face might have changed priorities also. The weighing machine of justice was also seem changed. It was Mufti Mohammad Sayeed whose first decision was creation of Ministry and handing over it to Chowdhary Zulfkar but his daughter’s first decision for Gujjar and Bakerwal was allotting Tribal Ministry to Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali and withdrawing it just in 9 hours annoying Gujjar and Bakerwals of the state.
Although CAPD Minister welcomed the decision, his community people accused Government of making anti tribal decision. Various organisations were shocked on this decision because a person who deserved reward for his 10 months untiring efforts was underestimated and a department was withdrawn from him without mentioning any reason. A question arises. When Mehbooba Mufti wanted to keep this department with her, why the same was allotted to Chowdhary Zulfkar on the first day. We have right to ask question that on whom dictation, the decision of withdrawal was taken?, Why Government has changed priorities on Gujjars?, Why Government does want capable people to lead tribal department?. And finally Gujjar and Bakerwal people have a final question from Mehbooba’s Mufti. Was the decision of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed of handing over Tribal Ministry to Chowdhary Zulfkar an inefficient decision ? Why and what compelled Mehbooba to by pass her fathers will?.
Not only people in power, but leaders in opposition are also raising questions on Mehboobs decision of withdrawal of Tribal Ministry from a Gujjar leader. Recently MLA Mendher, Former Deputy Chairman Legislative Council and opposition NC leader Javed Rana targeted Mehbooba Mufti on this decision and termed it great injustice with community. He even goes upto the extent of terming his rival party leader Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali as most fit leader to run the department.
With the passing days, the anger in Gujjar and Bakerwal community is increasing and they want to know the reasons of withdrawal of this Ministry from a Gujjar leader which has become a mystery in the state.
(The author is Research Scholar in University of Jammu)
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