SRINAGAR: Ending speculations, Union Home Minister Amit Shah today announced reservations for Gujar, Bakarwal, and Pahari communities in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Justice GD Sharma (retd) Commission has recommended reservation for Paharis, Gujars, and Bakarwals. Reservation will be rolled out after the completion of administrative formalities,” Shah said addressing a rally in Rajouri.
He said the tribal reservation was possible because of the abrogation of Articles 370 & 35A. “After the abrogation of 370A, the process for reservation has been cleared,” he said.
Shah said for the first time in 70 years, Gram Panchayat, Zila Panchayat, and Tehsil Panchayat have been set up in J&K. “Democracy was kept confined to 87 MLAs and six MPs in J&K for the past 70 years. Gujars, Bakerwals, and Paharis were left out. By nominating Ghulam Nabi Khatana in the Rajya Sabha, Modiji proved that he is committed to giving due representation to all sections,” Shah said addressing a rally in Rajouri.
Shah asked Gujjars, Bakerwals, and Pahars to ensure that three families, who kept the government confined to their family members, and friends, should be defeated in every election. “These three families enjoyed power for 70 years and kept common man yearning for democracy,” he said.
Home Minister said post abrogation of Article 370, J&K has emerged as the ‘most secured place’ as the militancy-related incidents are all-time low. He said a sustained drive launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi against militants and Hurriyat bore fruit and stones in the hands of youth were replaced by laptops.
He said the delimitation commission was constituted to give due representation to Gujjars, Bakerwals, and Paharis which otherwise was a dream. “You were always exploited by the people who ruled you,” Shah said, adding that the government headed by PM Modi is committed to taking J&K to new heights with all sections of society including Gujars, Bakerwals, and Paharis on board.
He said those who would state that blood will flow if Article 370 was rolled back should go through figures.
“Against the previous figures of 4767 militancy-related incidents reported in J&K in a year, the figure dropped to 721 only post Article 370 rollback. The killing of security forces personnel has come to just 137 a year, which is the lowest ever,” he said.
He said that the sustained campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to crush militants, separatists and Hurriyat yielded good results.
“Today, J&K is a most secure place. Today, J&K youth are competing like any other youth of the country in different fields,” he said.
He said that post Article 370 abrogation, Rs 56000 Cr outside investment has reached J&K that would ultimately provide employment to youth. “We formed Anti Corruption Bureau to end the corruption that remained on top in the past 70 years due to the family rule of three families,” he said.
Shah hailed LG Sinha for announcing the holiday on the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh. He said that for the first time, a direct flight from Srinagar to Sharjah was launched and night flight operations were started in Srinagar. “First time in the history, 1.62 Cr tourists visited J&K since Jan 2022,” he said.
