Jammu: The Gujjar and Bakerwal communities in Jammu and Kashmir are contesting the legitimacy of the recent election of nine MLAs, demanding a halt to their upcoming oath-taking ceremony. These MLAs were elected from constituencies reserved for Scheduled Tribes (STs), a designation the communities argue has been misapplied.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the controversy centers around the inclusion of Pahari-speaking tribe members in the recent elections for ST-reserved seats. These seats have been specifically reserved for ST individuals since 1991, decisions grounded in the demographic data from the 2011 census. The Gujjars and Bakerwals contend that allowing Pahari-speaking individuals to contest these seats violates constitutional provisions and the original intent of ST reservations.
The disputed constituencies include Surankote, Mendhar, Budhal, Thanamandi, Rajouri, Gulabgarh, Kangan, Kokarnag, and Gurez. The contention arose after the Indian government granted ST status to additional communities in 2024, prompting calls from Gujjar leaders for a new census to accurately reflect current demographics before allowing elections in these reserved seats.
Mohammad Anwar Choudhary, chairman of the All Jammu and Kashmir Gujjar-Bakerwal Co-ordination Committee, criticized both the Chief Electoral Officer and District Election Officers for accepting nominations from what he claims are ineligible candidates. He has indicated that the community is prepared to take legal action if their concerns are not adequately addressed, highlighting the potential for significant political and legal repercussions from this dispute.