Paharies are not terrorists but most secular,patriot community: Khan

Scoop News May 30, 2010

Jammu, May 30 (Scoop News) – Jammu & Kashmir Pahari Peoples Movement Chief Executive Shahbaz Khan has termed Sonia Gandhi’s statement on Gujjars as biased in which she has praised only Gujjars for protecting the nation and boundaries. “She has ignored the contributions of our Paharie people for this country”, Khan said adding “there was no mention of the Pahari community in her speech which remained focused on one community”.

In a statement, Pahari community has expressed anguish over the biased attitude of the Congress leadership saying that ‘Paharies are not terrorists’ and they have contributed more than the Gujjars in protecting this country.

Shahbaz Khan said “We are not terrorists but we have been hurt by the statement of Sonia Gandhi”. Pahari leader said that this is not justice to ignore most important community who has played a vital role in the national security and integrity of the country. “We are most patriot, secular and we have laid more lives for the nation than Gujjars but neither Sonia Gandhi nor his Pradesh Congress President Saif-ud-Din Soz made any mention of the community in the Gujjars programme at Jammu on Saturday”, he added.

JKPPM Chief Executive said that the community is striving hard for a long time for their justice and the Centre is delaying it due to interference of some Congressmen. “We will expose these leaders in near future”, he threatened adding that if Sonia Gandhi can do justice, she must announce Scheduled Tribe status for Pahari community at the earliest.

Khan said that Pahari community is not demanding anything from the neighboring country Pakistan. “We are demanding from New Delhi and if they will turn down our demand, we will chalk out a future course of action”, he said adding that Paharies have never demanded freedom (Aazadi), They are just demanding their basic right which should be fulfilled by the New Delhi.

Pahari leader said that Paharis are striving hard for ST status for the last many decades and despite the name of Pahari community was on the top of 7 tribe list recommended by state government to Centre for granting ST status in 1989, the community was denied the same due to reason better known to New Delhi. He said that all the six others have got the status and No 1 community in the list of recommendations has been ignored.

Khan said that all the Chief Ministers and Governors have recommended strongly to grant ST status to Paharies and even then President of India APJ Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi during their visits to Uri to meet with the earthquake victims had assured the people that their demand of ST status will be considered but all these leaders forget their promises.

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