Harry Walia, PGD, IIMC Jammu

Assessment of implementation of Scheduled Tribe status for the Gujjar Community (Jammu Region) Harry Walia, PGD, IIMC Jammu 1 Acknowledgment On the very outset of this report, I would like to extend my sincere & heartfelt obligation towards all the personages who have helped me in this endeavour. Without their active guidance, help, cooperation & encouragement, I would not have made headway in the project. I am thankful to Mr. Anubhav Mathur, Asst. Prof. IIMC Jammu, without whose guidance and motivation, this research would not have been a success. I would also like to provide our heartiest gratitude to Mr. Manohar Khajuria, Regional Director, IIMC Jammu, for providing us with this opportunity to conduct a research on our own in our preference area. Lastly, I am thankful to my family and friends for their support and suggestions. Any omission in this brief acknowledgement does not mean lack of gratitude. Thanking You, Harry Walia 2 Abstract The Gujjars are nomadic herdsmen, who were given Scheduled Tribe (ST) status in the year 1991, make their living by rearing animals-sheep, goats, horses, buffaloes, etc. Their life-style is quite simple but toilsome. Movement is the essence of their life. This community is one of the oldest among Indian races. Their past has been one of the active participation in culture formation process. The name of the Gujarat state is also said to be the derivation from Gujjar word, owing long momentous history of time when they held sway over power. All through, they have continued to be the most important segment of population in view of their role in meeting the dairy needs of the people of the states. Considering the „isolated‟ and „exploited‟ population and „socio-economic and political‟ backwardness of this ethnic group, it becomes important to reflect upon their status as a Scheduled Tribe in Jammu and Kashmir, after 27 years of the ST order. The meager level of privileges being imparted to the Gujjars in Vijaypur, Samba District (Jammu Region), is in disharmony with their cultural life and needs. Besides, the system suffers from general pitfalls there are conflicting in ideologies. There are many drawbacks within the educational system itself, such as alien medium of instruction, and unsuitable working hours. The inherent apathy continues in the Employment sector as well. None of the members (barring one-two) of the community pursues any other profession other than cattle rearing. Although awareness about reservation in Government jobs (and J&K Bank) is high, with almost 60% of the populace in the know-how of the quota, the availing part remains negligible. As far as political representation is concerned, most of the people knew about the MLAs or MLCs in the state assembly, who belong to their community. The Gujjar community has their own Numberdaars, who are equivalent to a Sarpanch, and people look up to them as their leaders, who can further take up their issues with officials. Most of the people had very limited knowledge about their forest and land rights. Only one person, who was the most literate of them all, knew that a central act 3 (Forest protection act 2006) for the benefit of tribal communities, who live in forests, was not implemented in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. They are being asked or rather threatened by local leaders and officials, to leave the place, for the land is to be used for the construction of AIIMS. The efforts to rehabilitate them have been made or „promised‟, like providing them with a plot of 10 marlas or 1 kanals, which is not sufficient for these families and their animals. Also, the proposed land lies near a river, and is prone to floods. The final rehabilitation is yet to be decided, which this community can agree upon. Though there are available organizations, both Governmental (Tribal Ministry) and Non-Governmental (Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust, Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation) to serve the purpose, the community is still left wanting for more. The government can encourage private sector by providing incentives to invest in their development. The community, somewhat resistant to change, and living in poverty and ignorance, seeks any form of upliftment in the state. 4 Introduction The history of settlement of various tribes and cultural groups in the state of Jammu and Kashmir is a record of constant impulses of immigration from the different parts of the world and our own country. Various races, ethnic groups and religious waves have entered and influenced the region. The twelve Scheduled Tribes, with a population of 14,93,299 account for 11.9 per cent of the total population of the state (Census 2011). These tribes are predominantly rural, as 95.3 per cent of them reside in villages. Gujjars are the most populous tribe with a population of 9, 80,654, forming around 65% of the total Scheduled Tribes population of this state (Census 2011). Gujjars (and Bakkerwals) are the third largest ethnic community in the state, after Kashmiri Muslims and Dogras. They are a group associated with peasantry, residing on mountain slopes and valleys. They are majorly into animal rearing (buffaloes, sheep and goats) and grain farming (particularly maize) in these areas. In the Jammu region, the Gujjars, which once used to dominate, have been reduced to a minority and are exploited by different socio-political groups for various gains. The Gujjars here, are mainly dependent on the dairy business, and provide dairy products to whole of the province. Their physical characteristics, language, customs, dress and economic activities are distinct from other ethnic groups of the state. They have also not adopted the Kashmiri way of life, thereby maintaining their separate identity from the other ethnic groups in the state. 5 Place Scheduled Tribe Percentage (to the Scheduled Tribe Increase Population total population of Population (2001- (Census 2011) the place) (Census 2001) 2011) Jammu & 14,93,299 11.9% 11,05,979 3,87,320 Kashmir Jammu Region Jammu 69193 4.5% 42089 27104 Doda 39216 9.6% 28400 10816 Kathua 53307 8.6% 33969 19938 Ramban 39772 14% 29353 10419 Reasi 88365 28.1% 60753 27612 Kishtwar 38149 16.5% 27917 10232 Poonch 1,76,101 36.9% 1,49,018 27083 Rajouri 2,32,815 36.2% 1,60,049 72766 Udhampur 56309 10.1% 42875 13434 Samba 17573 5.5% 11740 5833 6 History From literary, historical, and archeological sources, we find that: (a) The word „Gujjar‟ is rooted in the Sanskrit word „Gurjara‟. (b) The term „Gujaratra‟ is also found in Indian literary works around Fifth century AD. Kathiawar and Gujarat had powerful Gujjar rulers, and the area was known as Gujratra. (c) In the Ninth and Tenth centuries AD, the greater part of Rajasthan was called by the name of „Gurjar Desa‟. It is believed that their kingdom was attacked by the Arabs, who were successfully resisted by the Gujjars of the state. (d) The Gujjars from Rajasthan migrated to different places. The Gurjara Pratihara dynasty dominated all over the Northern and North-Western India. The Gujjars do not yet have a credible record of their origin in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is also difficult to ascertain with exactness their migration to the state. The most sought after assumptions for this influx are said to be persistent droughts, insufficient land for grazing in their original lands of Rajputana, Gujarat and Kathiawar, increase in their population, and political or religious persecution in the plains of Punjab by invaders from the West. They were originally Hindus, but when they settled in the state, they were influenced by Sufism and converted to Islam. Sufism did not discriminate between religions and was not rigid. Moreover, they were provided with food, land etc. Hence, Gujjars were inclined to adopt the new religion, and ultimately accepted it. Nevertheless, even today, the Gujjars follow some aspects of the Hindu culture and some of Islam, capturing a multicultural religious essence. As Gujjars are nomads, they gladly adopt the local cultures of the places they migrate to, which shows their religious tolerance. 7 Lifestyle The Gujjars hold a bit of distinction over other ethnic groups of the state in terms of their culture. They have their own language, customs, traditions, food etc. The men mostly wear Salwar-Kameez, Vaskat/Angoo and Pagri (Headgear) while the women wear a long gown called Jubo/ Pheerni along with Shawl/Cap and Jutti/ Jora. Their favorite dishes are „Makki/Bajra ki Roti‟, „Ganhar/Sarson ka Saag‟, Lassi, Kalari etc. The Gujjars mainly live in „Kullas‟ made from grass, while the Bakkerwals live in temporary Doharas and in Tamboos. Settled Gujjars mainly live in „Kothas‟. They also converse in their own language called Gojri. 8 Social Organisation The sub-tribes of Gujjars are:- 1. Banhara / Dodhi Gujjars They presently inhabit the areas of Jammu, Udhampur, Kathua and Doda. Their main business is sale of dairy products. 2. Bakkerwal Gujjars They are found in majority in Kalakote, Reasi, Nowshaira, Bandipora, Shopian, Kulgam, Pahalgam, Tral, and Uri. Gujjars and Bakkerwals are not different, but one community. It is an occupation- based categorization. Gujjars rear cattle and Bakkerwals rear goat, sheep, and horses. 3. Alahiwal Gujjars They have migrated from the frontier province of Pakistan, and constitute mostly of nomads. 4. Kanhari Gujjars They have migrated from the Swat and Hazara areas (presently in Pakistan). Most of them now live in Kalakote (Rajouri District). 5. Semi-nomad Gujjars They are now largely settled in various parts of the state, but may move to another place if need arises or if they feel to do so. 6. Settled Gujjars They constitute the people who are leading a settled life in the state.

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