AUG 5: In a passionate appeal resonating with the struggles of displaced individuals, Jatin K Raina, the Chairman of Social Media for J&K Congress, has emerged as a fierce advocate for the recognition of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for displaced persons from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. His call for justice comes in light of the precedent established for the Pahadi community, who have historically faced similar challenges.
Raina firmly asserts that the Committee recognizes the PoJK displaced persons as ethnically Pahadi—people who, after being uprooted from their homes in Poonch, Mirpur, and Muzaffrabad during the tumultuous partition, have sought refuge in Jammu and surrounding districts. Their identity, rich in culture and heritage, must not be overlooked.
Amidst growing concerns, social activists within this resilient community are ardently voicing the identity crisis they endure, especially after the Indian Government extended ST-2 status to the Pahadi ethnic group—an acknowledgment they believe should similarly apply to them.
In a heartfelt and unified plea directed at the Central Government and the Lieutenant Governor’s Administration, Raina highlighted the urgent need for constitutional recognition and justice long denied to the PoJK community. He confidently conveyed that they possess the necessary documentation to support their eligibility for ST-2 status, as they embody the defining traits of Pahari ethnicity.
However, Raina lamented that insidious practices within the administration, swayed by certain leaders of the BJP, have stymied the rightful claim of this community. Having endured over 75 years of exile, the displaced persons are no longer willing to sit idly by awaiting their rights; they are resolutely demanding full rehabilitation and equal opportunities. Awarding ST status would not only validate their collective suffering but would also pave the way for crucial educational, economic, political, and employment opportunities that have eluded them for far too long.
Raina underscored that the community shares strikingly similar demographic, ethnically and cultural traits with other groups that have already been granted ST status, thus reinforcing the strong constitutional foundation for their rightful demand. He urgently called upon the Prime Minister and Home Minister to act swiftly and administer justice without hesitation.
To elevate their message and strengthen their cause, the community is strategizing to intensify their movement in the upcoming weeks through peaceful protests, impactful social media campaigns, and direct engagement with lawmakers—all with the resolute aim of achieving their rightful place and recognition in society.
