Gujjars and Bakerwals -the main ST groups on Sunday demanded that Scheduled castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill passed by the Parliament recently be extended to Jammu and Kashmir.
In a statement here a spokesman of Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation-a frontal organisation of Gujjars-Bakerwals, said, “The extension of this bill would help our tribes to fight against atrocities which we face , legally and constitutionally.”
He said that in this connection foundation organised a discussion which was presided over by noted Research and Guijjar Scholar Dr Javaid Rahi. “To provide social equality, speedy justice to the tribal of Jammu and Kashmir , the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, passed by Parliament in amended form, may be extended to J&K added that thorough this J&K tribal get the rights enjoyed by the tribes in other states. Such provision, if extended to J&K, could not only prevent atrocities, discrimination, harassment against the SCs, STs, but will provide legal safeguard against anti-tribal forces” he added.
The Act which was passed recently by Lok Sabha and Rajya Saba in amended form and sent to President of India for nod is a law made to protect the life and dignity of tribal communities across India. However, this Act was not made applicable to the tribes of J&K by virtue of the state’s special status. They appealed President of India Ram Nath Kovind and Governor N N Vohra to intervene in the matter to protect their safety, equality and tribal rights.