RPA slams Pahari Advisory Board over using constitutionally rejected nomenclature

By
Daily Excelsior
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 18: Rashtriya Pahari Aandolan (RPA) has lambasted J&K Pahari Advisory Board for defying binding Government orders and constitutional mandates by continuing to use the abolished and illegal nomenclature
Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 18: Rashtriya Pahari Aandolan (RPA) has lambasted J&K Pahari Advisory Board for defying binding Government orders and constitutional mandates by continuing to use the abolished and illegal nomenclature "Pahari Speaking People" in official publications, including a recently issued calendar. "This act constitutes a blatant contempt of law and a calculated attempt to undermine the constitutional identity of the Pahari Ethnic Group," said Dr Suresh Kumar, President of Rashtriya Pahari Aandolan, in a statement, issued here today. He explained that the legal position on this issue is unambiguous and beyond dispute as the Government of Jammu & Kashmir, vide S.O. 537 dated 19 October 2022, published in The Jammu & Kashmir Official Gazette, amended the Jammu & Kashmir Reservation Rules, 2005, and categorically substituted the term "Pahari Speaking People (PSP)" with "Pahari Ethnic People" wherever it appeared in law, rules, and official usage. This statutory correction was further reinforced through the Constitution (Jammu & Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Act, 2023, which amended the 1989 Order and constitutionally recognized the Pahari Ethnic Group, not "Pahari Speaking People", as a Scheduled Tribe. Dr Suresh Kumar said that despite clear Government and Gazette orders, the Social Welfare Department, still continues to function under and permit the use of the old and abolished name "Pahari Speaking People" through the J&K Pahari Advisory Board. Also drawing attention towards a calendar by the Board, in which the Pahari community has been described as Pahari speaking people, Dr Suresh emphasized that the calendar is not a harmless publication but a political statement aimed at diluting the Scheduled Tribe identity of the Pahari Ethnic Group. Urging the Government of India and the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir to take stern action against officers who are openly violating Gazette law and constitutional mandates, Dr. Suresh Kumar warned that if no apology is issued, and the necessary legal corrections are not incorporated immediately in the calendar, the Rashtriya Pahari Aandolan, along with other like-minded Pahari organizations, will be compelled to democratically and symbolically reject the calendar, including its public burning as a peaceful expression of protest.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 18: Rashtriya Pahari Aandolan (RPA) has lambasted J&K Pahari Advisory Board for defying binding Government orders and constitutional mandates by continuing to use the abolished and illegal nomenclature “Pahari Speaking People” in official publications, including a recently issued calendar.
“This act constitutes a blatant contempt of law and a calculated attempt to undermine the constitutional identity of the Pahari Ethnic Group,” said Dr Suresh Kumar, President of Rashtriya Pahari Aandolan, in a statement, issued here today.
He explained that the legal position on this issue is unambiguous and beyond dispute as the Government of Jammu & Kashmir, vide S.O. 537 dated 19 October 2022, published in The Jammu & Kashmir Official Gazette, amended the Jammu & Kashmir Reservation Rules, 2005, and categorically substituted the term “Pahari Speaking People (PSP)” with “Pahari Ethnic People” wherever it appeared in law, rules, and official usage. This statutory correction was further reinforced through the Constitution (Jammu & Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Act, 2023, which amended the 1989 Order and constitutionally recognized the Pahari Ethnic Group, not “Pahari Speaking People”, as a Scheduled Tribe.
Dr Suresh Kumar said that despite clear Government and Gazette orders, the Social Welfare Department, still continues to function under and permit the use of the old and abolished name “Pahari Speaking People” through the J&K Pahari Advisory Board.
Also drawing attention towards a calendar by the Board, in which the Pahari community has been described as Pahari speaking people, Dr Suresh emphasized that the calendar is not a harmless publication but a political statement aimed at diluting the Scheduled Tribe identity of the Pahari Ethnic Group.
Urging the Government of India and the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir to take stern action against officers who are openly violating Gazette law and constitutional mandates, Dr. Suresh Kumar warned that if no apology is issued, and the necessary legal corrections are not incorporated immediately in the calendar, the Rashtriya Pahari Aandolan, along with other like-minded Pahari organizations, will be compelled to democratically and symbolically reject the calendar, including its public burning as a peaceful expression of protest.

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