Gujjars of Jammu and Kashmir have thrown their weight behind the Rajasthan Gujjars in their ongoing struggle for grant of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
In an appeal to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi through the Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation, the J&K Gujjars wanted the Rajasthan Gujjars treated on a par with them and those in Himachal Pradesh.
ST status was given to the J&K and Himachal Gujjars more than two decades ago, the foundation pointed out.
Foundation secretary Javaid Rahi said Gujjars were the same irrespective of the State they belonged to. They must be treated equally and provided equal opportunities. He appealed to social groups, the media, intellectuals and organisations working for social justice for the suppressed classes to support the Rajasthan Gujjars in their struggle.
The foundation urged the Union government to take action on the Justice Chopra Committee report, which was forwarded to New Delhi by the Rajasthan government in 2008. The report clearly said that the Rajasthan Gujjars fulfilled all the requirements to be declared as an enlisted Tribal Group, it noted.
The foundation also offered their full support to Jats in their struggle for grant of Other Backward Class status in J&K, provided that community in Rajasthan was ready to support the Gujjar movement. Muslim Gujjars constitute over 20 per cent of the total population of Jammu and Kashmir.
Mr. Rahi urged the J&K Gujjars to organise peaceful rallies and demonstrations at all district headquarters to express solidarity with their brethren in Rajasthan.
