Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 10: Maintaining that only grant of ‘reservation’ in jobs to Scheduled Tribe candidates can’t solely end socio-political discrimination meted out to STs especially Gujjars and Bakerwals since 1947, the tribal community members while attending a programme organized by Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation here today stressed for a law to empower twelve tribes of the State and upgrade their life equal to other tribes of the country.
Presided over by noted tribal researcher Dr Javaid Rahi, the programme was attended by a number of tribal dignitaries, scholars and students. Dr Rahi, in his address, stated that though ‘reservation’ granted in jobs has significantly changed the living standard of Gujjars and Bakerwals since 1991 but a large chunk of tribal population is still reel under the grip of poverty and backwardness.
“Only a legislation can empower them to raise their life on prototype of tribal communities of other States who are more empowered than J&K tribes. The speakers said it is only due to tribal status that the community has recorded considerable progress in getting Govt jobs but concrete efforts are required in shape of laws so that the community may not feel discrimination at any level. He said a lot of efforts are required to boost the community educationally, socially, economically and culturally.
The speakers said that though two Cabinet Ministers, 9 MLAs/MLCs are representing the community but it requires grass root level socio-political empowerment in the system. They demanded equality, fairness and justice and pressed to end discriminations with their tribe immediately.
The scholars said a large chunk of Gujjars and Bakerwals are still unattended and lagging behind due to extreme poverty, nomadic way of life, illiteracy and difficult geographical habitats. They said a lot of initiatives are required to ends the sense discrimination prevailing among them.
The speakers said the Gujjars-Bakerwals are historically oppressed and denied equal opportunity in society thus they remained un-represented in nation-building activities.
Those who spoke on the occasion, included Khadam Hassain , Wali Mohammad , Mohammad Sharief Khaki , Wazir Mohammad Banya, Shabnum Rafeeq Bajran, Ali Hussain Khatana, Bashir Bajad, Haneef Lodha and others.
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