Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 4: Jammu Kashmir Sharnarthi Action Committee (JKSAC), an organization representing the Displaced Persons (DPs) of 1947 from Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK) since 1967, has appealed to all Legislators-irrespective of party affiliation-to urge the UT Government to deliver long-overdue justice to the Pahari-speaking people residing beyond districts of Rajouri and Poonch by granting them ST-2 status, which is their legitimate, constitutional and democratic right.
JKSAC has particularly appealed Dr Narinder Singh, Vikram Randhawa and Arvind Gupta, belonging to the same community, not only to intervene but to pursue this issue with Chief Minister and Lt Governor to its logical conclusion, ensuring that people residing in districts beyond Rajouri and Poonch may also be granted ST-2 status.
Addressing the mediapersons, here today, Gurdev Singh, President JKSAC, expressed strong resentment over the persistent injustice and discrimination being meted out to the Pahari-speaking population living outside Rajouri and Poonch.
“While the Government has rightly granted ST-2 status to the Pahari-speaking population from PoJK residing in Rajouri and Poonch, their brothers and relatives settled in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, and other districts are continuously being denied the same recognition, despite the undeniable fact that they share the same language, culture, and ancient Pahari heritage,” he explained.
Citing the Constitution (J&K) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Act, 2024, Gurdev Singh emphasized that the Pahari ethnic group is recognized for its common language, culture, and clan. “If that is so,” he questioned, “how can those whose roots lie deep in the Pahari belt of PoJK be denied identical rights merely on a geographical basis?” He reminded that this position was reaffirmed by Minister Sakeena Ittoo on the floor of the House on 8th April 2025.
While highlighting the community’s persistent struggles, he said that for decades, Pahari-speaking DPs have faced severe social and economic hardships. Their youth, deprived of reservations or employment packages, are growing increasingly frustrated and disheartened due to unemployment and neglect. “DPs from POJK form one inseparable community,” he asserted, “regardless of whether they live in Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Udhampur, or any other district. Denying them equal recognition and rights as granted to their kin in Rajouri and Poonch is utterly unfair and contrary to the spirit of the Constitution,” he said.
Bhushan Sharma, Netar Parkash, S Ajit Singh, Puran Singh Chib, Dwarka Nath Khajuria, Rajesh Khajuria and V K Sudan were also present in the press conference.
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