Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 1: Maintaining that only ‘reservation’ can end discrimination in the society -the tribal Gujjar community scholars today said that those who are opposing the concept of ‘quota’ are actually opposing the egalitarianism in the society.
Speaking at a function organised by Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation, to discuss tribal reservation, several Gujjar scholars including Dr Javaid Rahi projected their view point on the subject. Rahi stated that the State Government and civil society should think optimistically towards ‘reservation’. He said that the ‘quota ‘ granted to identified weaker castes, area and tribes in the State or country is based on the percentage of them in the total population and is not an aid or charity. There is a dearth of positive mindset towards quota issues he said and added that Reserve category people are not snatching the rights of General category people as assumed.
He said that the basic concept of reservation was to provide representation to identified weaker class, caste, area or a tribe to mitigate backwardness of the socially and educationally backward communities.
The other speakers stated that as against 12.9 % ST population in J&K as per census 2011 report, the Gujjars and Bakerwals and other tribes are getting only 10% quota under ST category in the State jobs and promotions which is below to their existing precentage of share but some anti-reservation groups are giving an impression that the quota people are snatching the rights of general category which is not true.
They further said that our younger generation should focus on new system of attaining knowledge through various resources including internet and new technology. They advised the tribal youth not to isolate themselves from mainstream and work along with other communities like a true struggler in achieving the set goals.
Those who spoke on the occasion includes Dr Ashraf Chouhan, Wariz Ali, Mohd Banya, Shabnum Rafeeq Bajran, Ali Hussain Khatana, Bashir Bajad and Haneef Lodha.
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