Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 29: Members of Pahari Tribe ST Forum held white ribbon peaceful protest, here today, during which delegates in one voice reiterated their demand of ST status to Pahari community.
Several noted young Pahari intellectuals and prominent personalities of Pahari tribe took part in this White Ribbon Procession and peaceful protest.
The members of Pahari community highlighted the rich glorious cultural heritage of their tribe. They also reiterated their long pending demand of Scheduled Tribe status in favour of the Pahari ethnicity in J&K.
All those, who spoke, said that despite many recommendations and assurances since 1989, no decision has been taken so far for granting “Schedule Tribe” status to the deserving Pahari tribe. They expressed strong hope that the present Government will understand the plight of Pahari tribals and bring as well as pass the bill regarding grant of ST status to Pahari speaking people.
Speakers on this occasion claimed that Pahari ethnicity constitutes a tribe and live in hilly, tough terrain of border area and also are part of seasonal migration every year and fulfill all prerequisite to be given Schedule Tribe status under Article 341 of Indian Constitution as examined by different expert committees set by GOI.
Members added that Pahari population also remained a victim of Pakistan’s mischievous activities directly from across the border as well as its sponsored terrorism. The speakers also lambasted few self centered miscreants who are unnecessarily trying to create false propaganda and confusions.
Prominent among those, who joined the peaceful protest, included Adv Ashan Mirza, Vikrant Sharma, Adv Gurdev Thakur, Adv Sanjeev Sharma, Rashpaul Malla, Jehangir Alam, Dr Nitin Sharma, Mohd Sharief Kamlak, Irfan Qureshi, AS Anjum, Rajesh Tandon, Rahul Sharma, Ashutosh Khanna, Rishib Sharma, Mohd Farook, Zamir Muslim, Dr Ishfaq, Liaquat Ali, Shafiq Ahmed, Adv Nadeem Ahmed and others.
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