Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda has assured that benefits earmarked for the existing STs in the UT will remain intact.
The Scheduled Tribe Gujjar-Bakarwal communities in Jammu are vehemently protesting against the recent decision to include the Pahari Ethnic group in the Union Territory’s Scheduled Tribes list. This move was sanctioned by the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, passing the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order Amendment Bill, 2023 despite opposition. Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda has assured that benefits earmarked for the existing STs in the UT will remain intact.
The bill extends reservation in jobs, educational institutions, and the J&K legislature to additional communities including the ‘Gadda Brahmin’, ‘Koli’, and ‘Paddari Tribe’ under the ST category. The Gujjar-Bakarwal community has long opposed this action, fearing dilution of their quota if more communities are granted ST status. They argue that the Paharis, being considered a forward caste, may overshadow marginalised ST communities like theirs, depriving them of rightful benefits.
Expressing their discontent, members of the Gujjar-Bakarwal community have taken to the streets and social media to voice their concerns. They demand clarity from the Centre on how the interests of their community will be safeguarded amidst these changes.
Despite objections raised by some MPs, the Lok Sabha proceeded to pass the bill. Concerns were raised regarding the government”s strategy to protect the existing ST quota and delays in processing similar requests from other states. The Lok Sabha also discussed and passed a Bill to add the Valmiki community to the Scheduled Castes list of the UT, along with its synonyms.
Protests by the Gujjar-Bakarwal community have been ongoing, with students from these communities staging demonstrations in Jammu. Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda sees the passing of the Bill as a testament to the government”s commitment to national unity post the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A.
Munda reassured the Gujjar-Bakarwal community and other ST groups in J&K that their existing reservation quotas in education and jobs will remain unaffected. He emphasized that the expansion of ST status aims to ensure equitable distribution of benefits without encroaching on existing entitlements.
The BJP”s outreach to the Pahari community reflects its strategic maneuvering in the Pir Panjal region. According to the 2011 census, there are approximately 8 to 12 lakh Pahari-speaking people and about 15 lakh Gujjars and Bakkerwals in Jammu and Kashmir, primarily residing in the Pir Panjal region. This sizable population holds significant electoral influence in 25 out of 90 seats in the J&K assembly.
