Mumbai, July 27, 2023 (PPI-OT): India’s civil rights network, the National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM), has expressed solidarity with Gujjar and Bakerwal communities stating that the Modi government has ulterior motives in allowing reservations to the Pahari and certain other communities in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, terming it another major crisis brewing in the territory. The NAPM in a press statement issued in Mumbai said, India is already reeling under the tensions in Manipur and the North-East, there is another major crisis brewing in IIOJK. It added, this relates to the Indian govt’s politically-motivated move to place a Bill for discussion in the Parliament, for granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Pahari and certain other communities that traditionally don’t come under the category of tribe, and are rather socio-economically well-off.
“NAPM is deeply concerned at the ulterior moves of the BJP-led government of India to extend Scheduled Tribe Status to non-tribal groups and create further social strife in a region of historical conflict that has already been bearing the brunt of violence and militarization over decades” the press release added. It said that the tribal communities of the region, especially the Gujjar Bakarwals, have been leading a major uprising in the region since last year, opposing this anti-tribal move. “NAPM is of the firm view that the inclusion of non-tribal, upper caste communities into ST list is a direct attack on the socio-cultural and economic rights of the tribal communities in IIOJK, who have faced historical marginalization and injustices.”
The NAPM said, it is shameful that the BJP is playing with the lives of the tribal communities, based on its political vested interests in the Pir Panjal area. “Although it is claimed that the new reservation would not impact the share of the currently listed STs, it is only a matter of time before we see how marginalization of those already oppressed, would unfold”. At another level, it is also a fact that the BJP govt’s communally coloured reservation policy over the recent years, seeks to majorly focus on Jammu region, with a sizable Hindu population, much to the disadvantage of the Muslim majority Kashmir region.
Calling upon the Indian government to immediately roll back the (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023, the NAPM urged members of the Parliament across political parties not to vote in favour of the above Bill that fundamentally compromises and violates the rights of the tribal communities.
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