*31st July, 2023:* Excerpts of Statement: Numerous national platforms, people’s organizations and social activists from across India lent solidarity to the ongoing democratic protests by the Gujjar Bakarwal and other tribal communities in Jammu and Kashmir, who have been resisting a politically-motivated Bill of the Union Govt, that seeks to grant Scheduled Tribe status to non-STs in the region. The statement, initiated by NAPM, has been endorsed by many adivasi and other activists, advocates, academics, retired bureaucrats, concerned citizens from more than 15+ states, and from within Jammu and Kashmir, in solidarity with the ongoing struggle.
.. the Union Tribal Affairs Ministry and the National Commission of Scheduled Tribes (NCST), has in fact green signalled this proposal to include non-STs. .. This happened within a month of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s public announcement and assurance of reservations to the ‘Pahadis’ (non-STs) in Rajouri in Oct’ 22 ... the ulterior moves of the BJP Govt. to extend Scheduled Tribe Status to non-tribal groups and create further social strife in a region of historical conflict that has already been bearing the brunt of violence and militarization over decades. ..
... the Govt’s insistence on pushing through these Bills despite grassroots opposition, should not become a pretext for the State to view it only as a ‘‘law and order problem’ and crack down on the democratic movement. Be it in Manipur or J&K, the BJP’s anti-tribal and anti-people policies must be opposed by citizens across India and **peaceful political resolution to the tribal struggles needs to be explored. *