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”.
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.
