Gujjars will remain neutral if Paharis get OBC status
Scoop News
February 07, 2012 Jammu,February 07 (Scoop News) – Clearing their stand on proposed move to grant Other Backward Classes (OBC/OSC) status to Pahari Speaking People , the Gujjars of Jammu and Kashmir through Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation - a frontal organisation of community today stated that their tribe will remain neutral if they (Paharis ) will get reservation under any category other then Scheduled Tribe (ST).
The Gujjars have been opposing the grant ST status to Pahari Speaking People since 1991 now they have soften their stand on new demand of OBC by Pahari speaking people.
In a meeting organised by Tribal Foundation and Chaired by Dr. Javaid Rahi Secretary of the Foundation the speakers drawn from Gujjar Bakerwal tribes stated that the community by enlarge will not oppose ,nor support the new demand of Pahari speaking people to categories them under OBC/OSC category. Let the Government decide whether they deserved to be granted reservation under Socially and Educationally backward class are not, they added.
The speakers were re-acting on a 16 page report submitted to Government the other day by a high powered committee constitute by State Advisory Board for development of Pahari speaking People to examine the case to grant of OBC/OSC status to Paharis.
The speakers on the occasion also condemned some of the contents of the report in which the Gujjar Bakerwal and Gaddi community were targeted.
‘Gujjars were not against any community including Pahari speaking People of the State’ said Dr. Javaid Rahi but want it to protect their Tribal Identity and rights made available them by constitution of
He informed the meeting that in J&K so for 26 casts are getting 2% reservation under OBC/OSC includes Haniji, Bhangi, Khakrob, Bhand, Barber (Nai) Dambli /Faqir, Doom, Hanz/ Muchery, Gada, Garati, Jheewar, Kulfiqar, Kumhar, Madari/Bazigar, Mirasi, Sansi, Shakhsaz, Shoe repierers, Shupri watal, sikilighar, Teeli, Dhobi, lohar and Tarkhan.The speakers said if Pahari speaking People or any other belongs to these social casts or sharing equal status in the society they should be granted the Backward status.
The Gujjar body was reacting on State Pahari Advisory Board committee recommendation submitted to Commissioner Secretary GAD, Social Welfare and Law department.
The proposal was formulated by a five-member committee constituted by the Board last month on the directions of the Chief Minister .
The Committee in its 3-point recommendations had proposed that the government may declare the Pahari Speaking People as `Socially and Educationally Backward Class’ in terms of section 2(0) of J&K Reservation Act-2004, and SRO 294 of 2005.
Besides it may grant 8 percent reservation for the students belonging to Pahari speaking community in professional/technical and other educational courses in the Universities/Colleges and other educational institutions in the state and may also reserve 8 percent vacancies in direct recruitment and 4 percent in promotion as has been done in case of other reserved categories in terms of J&K Reservation Act-2004 and SRO-294 of 2005.
Tags: Gujjars , Paharis , OBC Status
