Gujjars accuse J&K government of ignoring tribals' concerns

Expressing anguish over non-passage of the Private Members' Bill seeking political quota for tribals, a body representing Gujjar Bakerwal community today accused the Jammu and Kashmir government of not being serious towards empowerment of such groups inhibiting the state.
The bill, moved by BJP member Chaman Lal Gupta on April 4, was turned down by the House through a voice vote.
Reacting to this, Haji Shamsheer Ali Bokan, state chief of the J-K Gujjar Bakerwal Joint Forum, called for a sustained struggle for the fulfilment of this long-pending demand.
Haji said that having been classified as STs, Gujjars, Bakerwals, Gaddi Sippis and eight other tribes of Ladakh and Gurez are entitled to political reservation.

"If we are getting quota in government jobs and promotions under ST category, which was granted to us by the Centre in 1991, why is the (state government) denying reservation of seats (for these groups) in the state Assembly," he said.
Prof Gupta had yesterday introduced the Bill in the state Assembly.
J-K law minister Saifullah Mir, commenting on the Bill, said the question of political reservations for STs required a debate and consultations with all political parties as a two-third majority was needed to effect the necessary Constitutional amendment.