DDC elections: BJP eying Gujjar-Bakarwal community of J&K to wade through

Ravi S Singh

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 24

The BJP has set its eyes on the Muslim community, including the Scheduled Tribe (ST) population of Gujjars and Bakarwals in Jammu and Kashmir, to make a mark in the upcoming District Development Council (DDC) elections in the Union Territory.

The party has deputed two of its Rajya Sabha members Surendra Nagar and Syed Zafar Islam for the election campaign.

While Nagar is the only Gujjar MP in Rajya Sabha, Zafar Islam, a former banker and young face from the minority community, was inducted in the Upper House during last session of Parliament.

In the backdrop of reported pitch for measures to empower the Gujjar-Bakarwal community in the Saffron camp following the abrogation of Article 370, Nagar had demanded welfare schemes, including official language status for ‘Gojri’.

He also championed the cause for reservation of (ST) Assembly seats in J& K for Gujjars and Bakarwals.

Nagar also espoused the case for instituting a ‘Gujjar Scout’ which would open employment opportunity in Defence sector for tribal youth who are well conversant with the mountainous terrain of J & K.

Nagar, who is in the thick of election campaign for the DDC elections, said on Tuesday that the Gujjars and Bakarwals were showing inclination towards the BJP.

"The vision of Forest Act being implemented retrospectively from March 1, 2020 and reservation of about 10-12 seats in ST category has encouraged the tribals towards the BJP."

He further said that large number of government appointed school teachers for teaching children of nomadic Gujjar population in the erstwhile state were only given salary for six months during the Article 370 dispensation.

"Now they will be disbursed salaries every month of the year which signals the true intent of the present administration towards Gujjars and Bakarwals," said Nagar.

Zafar Islam, meanwhile, asserted that there was a large undercurrent in support of the BJP in Kashmir Valley.

"The BJP supporters, including Muslims and tribals, will prove to be silent voters. They identify their progress and development with BJP. They are inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi," said Zafar Islam.

The Gujjar-Bakarwal tribes are largely spread across Anantnag, Kulgam, Baramulla, Pulwama, Ganderbal, Shopian and Bandipora districts, especially in the higher reaches of the Valley.

With regard to the Jammu region, they span across areas including Reasi, Jammu, Rajouri, Poonch, Samba, Kathua and Udhampur.