Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 9: The Gujjar and Bakerwal community of Jammu and Kashmir has demanded setting up of a Tribal University in the State with special reservation for marginalized groups and people living in remote and backward areas of the State.
To cater to the specific educational needs of STs, the Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation (TRCF), a frontal organisation of the nomad Gujjar and Bakerwal community, has sent two separate memorandums to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Human Resources Development Minister Prakash Javadekar in this regard.
Noted writer Dr Javaid Rahi who presided over the programme said, “We are demanding a Tribal University in the State since long. Two year ago, a delegation of tribal dignitaries from the State met the Union Human Resource Minister and submitted a memorandum but nothing concrete emerged out of it so far.”
He further said to remind the Centre, they have sent a fresh communique to PM and HRD Minister, adding that “There is an urgent need to promote studies and research in tribal art, culture, tradition, language, custom, medical systems, forest based economic activities, special studies in the flora and fauna and advancements in technologies relating to natural resources of the tribal areas of the State.
“Establishing a tribal university can cater to all these needs,” he added.
In a separate memorandum, the TRCF has also appealed Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti who is also Minister Tribal Affairs to press the Centre over the issue.
It is pertinent to mention here that Tribals constitute 20% population of the State and Gujjar comprise 85 percent of the Scheduled Tribe communities.
Those who spoke included Ch. Jamsheed Jazab, Mushtaq Banya, Aziz Hassan, Abdul Rashid Jangal, Arif Dhedadh, Dr. Shabir Kassana and Dilnawaz Hussain Chowdhary.
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