Gujjar community demands separate regiment in Army

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Gujjar community of Jammu and Kashmir today demanded the Centre to raise a full-fledged 'Gujjar Regiment' in the Army on the patterns of 'Jat, Rajput and Dogra' regiments.
The Gujjar community of the state, while seeking support from the community members residing in other 12 north-western states, has asked for a joint struggle for raising a full- fledged 'Gujjar Regiment' in the Army, said Javaid Rahi, Secretary of Tribal Foundation.
The community members in a programme organised by Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation here today expressed strong resentment over delay in raising of 'Gujjar Scouts' which they claimed stands approved in Jammu and Kashmir.

"The struggle is going on since 1940 for a separate regiments of Gujjars in the Army," said Rahi.
Referring a letter dated November 27, 1940 of Government of India Department of Defense, Army Branch, addressed to Gujjar Kshitriya Sabaha, Meerut City, that "states that the Central government was planning to raise a Gujjar Regiment even in 1940", he said "but till date we are struggling for that".
Rahi said a Gujjar delegation met Prime Minister Nerendra Modi in New Delhi few days ago and projected this demand.
He claimed that there was a proposal to raise 'Gujjar Scouts' on the pattern of 'Ladakh Scouts' in Jammu and Kashmir by the government, and asked that why it was not implemented.