DOGRA HERALD BUREAU
JAMMU, Nov 22
The Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Department of Tribal Affairs, in collaboration with the Law School, University of Jammu, on Wednesday organized a daylong Seminar on “Tribal Rights and Constitution of India.”
The event, held in connection with Janjatya Gurav Saptah – Tribal Pride Week, witnessed enthusiastic participation from esteemed researchers, academicians, and legal luminaries of Jammu and Kashmir.
The seminar was presided over by Prof. Manju Jamwal, Director of Law School, with Mukhtar Ahmed Chowdhary, Secretary of J&K Board for Development of Scheduled Tribes, Dr. Abdul Khabir, Dy Director of Tribal Affairs Department, and Dr. Javaid Rahi, a noted tribal researcher, were in the presidium.
Dr. Abdul Khabir, in his address, highlighted the seminar’s main objective to foster collaboration among academicians, policymakers, and practitioners in providing a comprehensive understanding of Tribal Rights and constitutional provisions for Scheduled Tribes. Additionally, the Tribal Affairs Department aims to identify communication gaps in conveying tribal rights to ST communities and explore measures for tribal welfare.
Dr. Javaid Rahi in his keynote address, emphasized the pivotal role played by Tribal communities in India’s freedom struggle. He underscored the prevalence of customary laws among Tribal communities and stressed the need for awareness to empower Scheduled Tribes about their rights and constitutional safeguards.
Mukhtar Ahmed Chowdhary, Secretary of J&K Board for Development of Scheduled Tribes, stated that the seminar aims to grapple with pressing issues themed around constitutional rights protection, and governance. This underscores the seminar’s commitment to addressing contemporary challenges faced by Tribal communities and finding effective solutions for their empowerment.
Prof. Manju Jamwal in her presidential address asserted that education serves as the foundation for ensuring Tribal Rights for ST Communities. She called upon lawyers and law students to actively participate in raising awareness about constitutional rights among marginalized ST communities.
The programme was organised under the overall supervision and directions of Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Secretary to the Government, Tribal Affairs Department.
The seminar featured research papers presented by academics, scholars and law students, including Prof. Savita Nayyar, Dr. Mohammad Arif, Dr. Monika Narang, Dr. Seema Sharma, Dr. Marnalini Atri, Dr. Arti Sharma, Dr. Videta Sharma, Dr. Shubha Vats, Dr. Monika Dhardmay, Dr. Nitan Sharma, Misbah Chowdhary, Kasak Gupta, Hemanya Puri, Ashika Gandhi, and M Bhalla. Topics covered included Constitutional Law, Customary laws, Gender injustice and Tribal Women, human rights of tribal, Forest Rights Act, based economy for tribal, Panchayat Raj Institutions and tribal, Tribal Education, health, and malnutrition in Tribal India, and Multiculturalism and tribal women and others.
