Amitha Reji George, Pune
Gujjar and Bakerwal protest marches against the inclusion of upper caste Paharis on the Schedule Tribe (ST) lists are becoming increasingly popular in J&K. If the Center does not withdraw the Bills submitted to Parliament, they have threatened to take to the streets with their cattle.
To protect their Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, thousands of Gujjar Bakarwals came to the streets of Srinagar and marched towards the Governor’s House. In Jammu and Kashmir, the second phase of the ST Bachao Movement has begun, and the local population is protesting the inclusion of Upper Caste Paharis on the Scheduled Tribes list. They fear that this move might dilute their ST status and result in losing their rights and privileges.
Including the Upper Caste in the Scheduled Caste (SC) list can potentially lead to several concerning outcomes. One significant issue is the potential increase in the creamy layer within the SC community. The creamy layer refers to members of a particular community who are relatively better off economically and socially and enjoy more privileges and opportunities compared to their less privileged counterparts. If Upper Caste individuals are added to the SC list, it might result in the expansion of the creamy layer within the SC community. As a result, the benefits and reservations meant to uplift the underprivileged sections of society might benefit those already relatively well-off.
This could further marginalize the genuinely disadvantaged SC individuals, undermining the purpose of affirmative action and social welfare initiatives. Understanding the situation that unfolded in Manipur, it is crucial for the government to take thoughtful and well-considered decisions to prevent a similar crisis from occurring in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Our struggle is to safeguard the Constitution. It’s a political fight to protect the rights of tribals, not only those in JK but also those living across the country. The BJP’s move to include the upper caste Paharis is a grave provocation. You see what is happening in Manipur. The BJP is anti-tribal and intends to pit one community against another,” advocate. Guftar Ahmed Chowdhary, a prominent Gujjar youth leader, told The Hindu.