J K News Today
Jammu, March 18
In the backdrop of a number of incidents and the statements issued thereafter by certain groups and people against tribal community -the leaders of Gujjar tribe of Jammu and Kashmir today stated that their community belongs to India and does not need a certificate of nationalism and patriotism from any one.
In a programme organised by Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation -they stated that 100% population of Gujjar in J&K are Muslims but of Indians.
“ We have given our blood to this nation and We do not need certificates of being Indian from any group or people,” they said.
The programme was presided over by noted scholar of Gujjar community Dr. Javaid Rahi while a number of tribal elders, writers and youth were present. It was held to discuss the prevailing situation in Jammu region vis a vis issues of Tribal Gujjars and Bakerwals.
Dr. Javaid Rahi in his presidential address stated that Gujjars constitute second largest group in Jammu region after Dogras and have immensely contributed to the overall peace and posterity of the region and of the state. He stated that in extremely testing times we stand with the people of our region but there are some forces who are now hellbent to break this age old unity and brotherhood.
Speaking about the firing of Pakistan being faced by Gujjars living in border areas of Jammu region , he stated that “every year dozens of Gujjars and their livestock get killed near the border, hundreds are injured and thousands of people migrate every year to safer places during the heavy gunfire,” but in this side of our country , we need a certificate of being nationalist .He said “this is completely disgusting and unfortunate.”
He asserted that during the 1947, 1965 and 1971 wars, the Gujjars faced the major brunt as they were killed in large number along the LOC and International Border but today we are facing a number hardship as toleration level towards our community is going downward day by day.
He said , the communal forces in Jammu region has wrongly given a chance to separatists to react on Gujjar affairs in Jammu and this is not in the interest of our state and the country.
He appealed the leaders and the intellectuals of both the community to come forward and bind these communities together. He stated that Jammu people are very kind to Gujjars but some dividing forces must be identified and alienated at the earliest.
