Rajouri, J&K: In a historic first on Tuesday, Union Minister Amit Shah declared reservation for Gujjar, Bakerwal and Pahari communities in education and jobs as Scheduled Tribes in what is being called a pre-election promise aimed at widening BJPs range. If implemented this will be the first instance in India that a linguistic group is awarded reservation which would eventually need amendments to the Reservation Act in Parliament.
Addressing a rally here, Shah also said there will be no decline in the ST quota of Gujjars and Bakerwals and Paharis and everyone will get their share. He said the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 has paved the way for providing reservation benefits to the deprived sections of the society in Jammu and Kashmir.
“The Justice Sharma Commission has recommended and it includes Paharis, Bakerwal and Gujjars for ST quota benefits. These recommendations have been received and soon after completion of legal procedure, Gujjars, Bakerwals and Paharis will get the reservation benefits,” he said.
Shah slamming the opposition in Jammu and Kashmir stated that 30,000 people who were elected to panchayats and district councils through fair elections would now decide the fate of the UT.
His address comes within hours of the murder of DGP (prisons) Hemant Lohia in Udaywala, outskirts of Jammu.