DOGRA HERALD BUREAU
JAMMU
A select group of Akhil Jammu Kashmir Koli-Sippy Samaj held came over to BJP office here today with a view to expressing gratitude towards Modi Sarkar for according ST status to ‘Kolis’ in J & K. A bill to this effect has been pushed through both Houses of Parliament. Detailed notification is expected to follow very soon.
Arun Gupta, District President, BJP, said that momentous decision of 5th August, 2019, cleared decks for pathbreaking steps and initiatives in J & K. Mr. Ranbir Singh Pathania, Spokesperson J & K BJP while addressing the gathering of Koli Samaj with immaculate elocution explained that ‘Kolis’ are an ethnic group having identical living, culture, clothing, language, customs and nature of livelihood which is ‘tribal’. They live in a state of acute penury with lesser education and access to basic living facilities. Their social and economic status was far lower than that of Gaddis, Sippies, Gujjars, Bakerwals, and other notified tribes. Nonetheless, in a disheartening and most discriminatory way, they were debarred of ST status till now. The case for according ST status to ‘Kolis’ was projected with full vehemence before the Commission for Educationally and Socially Backward Classes, at its Jammu as well as Kashmir seats. The same was projected with concerned quarters will full vehemence and alacrity. And an affirmative assurances were given in this regard.
The issue was taken up with Union Ministry of Home Affairs as well as Lt Governor of J & K and requested for taking requisite steps in this regard as early as possible.
During last Legislative Assembly also, case for ST status was vouched by him with full force and vehemence. And sweet result is that Kolis and Gadda Brahman community are now STs in J & K. Bharat Sarkar has passed a detailed law in this regard.
Mr Hukam Chand, President All J & K Koli Sabha was all-praise for Bhartiya Janta Party leadership for fulfilling his community’s legitimate demand. He was all thankful for Mr Pathania who had taken up the issue on the floor of Assembly and with the Commission and other top rungs of the government.
Mr Khem Raj however was quite skeptical of certain opposition leaders who have now started shedding crocodile tears for Kolis.
He further questioned and sought reply from those rejected, spent-up leaders as to what affirmative steps had been taken by them while they were whiling away in power corridors and enjoying loaves of power and Kolis were again and again discriminated upon.
Mrs Pinky Devi, DDC Latti-Marothy, Mr Subash Chander, DDC Narsoo, Mr Rakesh Bodhi, DDC Ghordi, Mr Sumit Gupta, Kavi Raj, Yog Raj, and others also addressed the gathering.
