Amit Shah reached Jammu and Kashmir, can make a big announcement for the Pahari community today amid protests; dispute begins

Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Jammu on Monday evening on a three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir. Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and other BJP leaders welcomed him at the Jammu airport here. Amit Shah is expected to announce Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the Pahari community in Jammu and Kashmir during his three-day visit to the Union Territory. After reaching Jammu, Amit Shah met people from five communities at the Raj Bhavan. The delegation that met Shah included people from the Gurjar, Bakarwal, Pahari, Sikh and Rajput communities. He will address two rallies in Rajouri and Baramulla on Tuesday and Wednesday, which are expected to be attended by a large number of people from the Pahari community. The prospect of granting ST status to Pahari people has created political controversy and dissension within the National Conference Party.

Not only this, members of the Gurjar tribe protested in Shopian on Monday. During the protest, he asked the Center not to play with the condition of the Scheduled Tribe community. Giving ST status to hills is seen as a big political move by BJP to win maximum seats in J&K. In this context, the Union Home Minister addressing two rallies in Jammu and Kashmir will be an effective start to the BJP’s election campaign.

Taking a surprising step, a senior National Conference leader and former MLA has appealed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to attend the Union Home Minister’s rally, reports NDTV. Two-time former National Conference MLA Kafeel ur Rehman said, “Community comes first. Politics later. We all should join the rally and show our collective strength. If we do not achieve ST status today, then We’ll never find it.”

Rahman told his supporters that 20 buses have been kept ready to travel to Baramulla, where Shah will address a rally on Wednesday. Another senior National Conference leader from Rajouri, Mushtaq Bukhari, and several others have already resigned from the party and openly supported the BJP on the issue of giving ST status to hills. National Conference chief spokesperson Tanveer Sadiq said he was not aware of Rehman’s statement. “Definitely this is not the position of the party. I will check his statement and get in touch with you,” he said.

Former Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Muzaffar Baig has also appealed to the Pahari community to participate in the rally in large numbers. Baig himself is a hill leader. He resigned from the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in November 2020. In a video message, Baig said, “We are hopeful that Shah Saheb will fulfill the long pending and just demand of the Pahari community. It will be a positive and historic decision. I urge everyone to join the rally and demand justice.” I appeal.”

The possibility of giving ST status to hills has created controversy. This possibility created a division between the Gujjars, Bakarwal tribesmen and the hills in Jammu and Kashmir. Gujjars and Bakarwals already have ST status. Now these tribals are expressing their displeasure over the issue of recognition of hills as ST. Former Chief Minister and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti has alleged that BJP is creating rift between communities by using reservation cards. In a video message, Mufti appealed to the communities to stay united and not fight against each other.

“There is tension in Pir Panjal (Rajouri-Poonch district) in view of the Home Minister’s visit and possible announcement of ST status. People are being forced to fight amongst themselves. They make you each other’s enemies,” Mufti warned. First, they pitted Hindus against Muslims. Now, they want Gurjars and Paharis to fight against each other.”

If the Pahari community is given ST status, it will be the first instance of a linguistic group earning reservation in India. For this to happen, the central government would need to amend the Reservation Act in Parliament. Hill leaders are hopeful that once the announcement is made, a bill can be passed in the next session of Parliament.

Security arrangements have been beefed up ahead of the Union Home Minister’s visit. Officials gave this information. Shah is scheduled to address two rallies. He will address a rally in Jammu’s Rajouri district on Tuesday and another rally in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Wednesday. During the last week, there have been two major terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. Officials said on Monday that in view of Shah’s visit, several level security arrangements have been made and drones are being used for aerial surveillance.

Officials said searches have been intensified on the Jammu-Poonch and Srinagar-Baramulla highways, while additional police and paramilitary forces have been deployed to keep a close watch on the situation. He said patrolling has been increased at several places, including the Srinagar-Baramulla-Kupwara highway.

Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh, who visited both the places last week, said attempts are being made by terrorists and their handlers to disrupt peace in Jammu and Kashmir, but in view of the high-level visit. All necessary security arrangements have been made.