JK News Today

Rajouri, Nov. 13

The Gujjars and Bakerwal- Schedule Tribe communities  of  Jammu and Kashmir today objected on wording of a text book of class VIII published by J&K State Board of School Education, wherein besides other reasons, activities of Gujjar Bakerwals has been cited as one of the reasons for shrinking of Kohlai glacier.

The defamatory text figures at page 20 of the text book of English VIII  which reads:-

“Rapid melting of Kolhai Glacier, one of the  largest glacier of Kashmir Himalayas has evoked concern among environments who stress for immediate measures to at least minimize its melting rate. Kohlai (  glacier) has shrunk 18% during past three decades due to increase in temperature, caused by high levels of pollution by the emission of greenhouses gases by ever increasing vehicles and cement plants, increased human activities near the glacier particularly by Gujjars- Bakerwals”.

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They   termed  the ‘text’ as disparaging, defamatory and  counterfeit. In a joint  meeting  organised by J&K Gujjars Youth Forum, J&K Gujjars -Bakerwals Students Federation and Young Gujjars Association Jammu the community youth demanded immediate removal of the chapter-3 titled ‘Global Warming ‘of the book published under Tulip Series-Book -8 -Text book of English for Class VIII .

After conclusion of the programme a delegation of Gujjar students of Universities and colleges met Dr. Javaid Rahi- a reputed scholar of the community and stated that a chapter  written by Inam ur Rehman English text book of class 8th must be deleted from the book as it has  contain defamatory content against tribes.

The youths on the occasion ,  presented a copy  the said book to Dr. Rahi. The text book was  compiled  by Malik Ghulam Hassan ,  Director Academics  as Chief Editor while as  Naila Nelofar Academic Officers – English assisted him as Editor of the book. This was the third edition of book and the first edition of the book was published in June 2014.

 

Dr. Rahi after hearing the youth of the community youth stated that he will take up the matter with  the authorities of Jammu and Kashmir State Board of School Education and Education Department in civil secretaries to get this chapter /text deleted from the book.

He also mailed a letter to Nayeem Akhter, Minister for Education J&K Government  in presence of the delegation and requested the Minister to intervene in the matter immediately. In the letter it was demanded that the chapter may be replaced immediately as it gives an impression that Gujjars and Bakerwals who constitute a sizeable population of J&K are anti ecology and causing global warming.

The Education Minister assured online that he will take necessary steps in the matter.