Gujjars, Bakerwals are as nationalists as others: Dr Manyal

POONCH August 3: Reacting sharply to the news that some anti-national elements raised anti-India  slogans during a rally  of Gujjars and Bakerwals in  Poonch town on wednesday against the Bill introduced in Parliament for the grant of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Pahari community,  BJP Jammu & Kashmir  General Secretary Dr. Devinder Kumar Manayal, said that it is a conspiracy hatched against the nationalist Gujjars and Bakerwals, who have a long history of standing like a rock in defeating the nefarious designs of  terrorists and Pakistan sponsored proxy war against India.

Dr. Devinder Kumar Manyal said that during the Kargil War, the Bakarwals were highly praised for cooperating with the Indian Army by providing  information about movement and hideouts of Pakistani invaders. These people have a track record of having worked for the brotherhood and strengthening the social fabric. They are, undoubtedly, as nationalists as others.

 Dr. Manyal  demanded that police must identify the trouble mongers at the earliest  and book them under the law so that no one dares to indulge in making anti national slogans in future and play foul to defame the nationalist community of Gujjars and Bakerwals.

At the same time, Dr, Devinder Kumar Manyal stressed upon the Gujjar Bakarwal community not to get misled on the issue of the grant of ST status to Paharis and they should trust the Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who, has categorically assured that there would be no tinkering with the reservation granted to the Scheduled Tribes (STs).

“The concern of the Narendra Modi government for the welfare and upliftment of the deprived population of Gujjars and Bakerwals can be well judged from the fact that, for the first time, they have been provided reservation in the assembly, thus enabling them to become part of the decision making bodies in Jammu and Kashmir”, Dr.Manyal said and added that the BJP and its government works on the principle of justice to all, irrespective of one’s region or religion. This government has raised the number of mobile schools for the education of the children of Gujjars and Bakkerwals. It also enhanced the salaries of the teachers of Mobile Schools. Again, the same government has made facility of providing vehicles for the movement of their domestic animals during shifting to plains from higher reaches and vice versa.

Citing these few examples are aimed at making Gujjars and Bakerwals understand that it is the BJP only, which is always concerned for their socio-political empowerment and they must feel assured that the party will not allow anyone to deprive them of what they have been granted.

(NOTE: PRESS RELEASE PUBLISHED AS RECEIVED)