Excelsior Correspondent
POONCH, Sept 29: Gujjar-Bakarwal Coordination Committee held a mass protest, opposing granting of ST status to Pahari community at Krishan Chander Park in Poonch City today.
They were apprehending dilution of ST status with the grant of ST status to Paharis as being projected by BJP. A large number of Gujjar community members from J&K and outside besides elected representatives, social activists and local people from Mandi, Surankote, Mendhar participated in the protest programme.
Speaking on the occasion Gujjar- Bakarwal leaders said that this mass protest- meeting in Poonch is being organized to register our protest against the move of the Union Home Minister to take decision in hurry affecting the interests of this community badly.
“If the decision will go adverse to us, by diluting Pahari’s in ST status, the Gujjar-Bakarwal community will launch a massive protest and long agitation,” they cautioned.
They urged the Central Government to provide more reservation to Pahari community but their ST status should not be affected. Pahari people should be kept out of the purview of the ST status, the Gujjar leaders demanded.
Later, a memorandum was also submitted to the Deputy Commissioner, Poonch for the Union Home Minister.
Members of All J&K Gujjar-Bakarwal Tribal Coordination Committee led by Ch Jameel Kohli and national president, Rashtriya Yuva Gujjar Swabhiman Sangharsh Samiti, Adv Kavinder Singh Bhatti were leading the protest up to District Collector’s office.
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