JAMMU: The onset of winter in Jammu and Kashmir, amongst other things, also marks the seasonal migration of the Gujjars and Bakerwals from higher reaches of Valley to the plains of Jammu region. This year, however, these nomadic tribals are in Kashmir, braving the falling mercury as they embark on a month-long march, for the protection of their rights under the Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
The foot march, started from Kupwara on November 4, has covered 5 districts in the Valley so far and has reached summer capital Srinagar on 6th day, with the protestors gaining huge number of supporters at every place. The march is slated to end in Kathua, by the end of this month.
Led by youth leaders under the banner of Gujjar-Bakarwal Joint Action Committee (GBJAC), the ‘Tribal Bachao Paidal March’ is taken out primarily against the proposed inclusion of Paharis in ST reservation quota.
The community leaders and members are protesting against the decision of the Registrar General of India and the National Commission for Schedule Tribes to accept the recommendations of Justice GD Sharma Commission report to notify Paharis as STs.
Largely refraining from using the word ‘Paharis’ in any of their slogans, the tribals maintained that their protest is against the inclusion of upper castes in the ST quota.
