JAMMU: Former legislator and senior Pahari leader Murtaza Khan and DDC Chairperson from Baramulla, Safina Baig of J&K Pahari Cultural & Welfare Forum, addressed a press conference here in Jammu today. Flanked by a number of Pahari leaders, they reiterated their thankfulness and gratitude towards the Government of India for the historical act of granting ST status to the community.
Terming it as a huge step to create harmony amongst the various communities notified as ST, they also expressed satisfaction over the LG administration's decision to create a separate block for the newly inducted and the existing ST communities on the reservation. The leaders also reiterated their commitment to extend wholehearted support to the BJP candidates in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
However, expressing concern over the rumours of the BJP not fielding its candidates in the south and north constituencies of Kashmir but instead supporting some groups, they appealed to the BJP leadership to take the Pahari leadership on board before taking any such decision. They said that some leaders who have a history of creating and widening a divide between Gujjars and Paharis in Jammu and Kashmir are seen claiming the backing of the BJP, and they implored that such skydivers don't deserve any encouragement.
The Pahari leaders appealed to the central leadership to discard the people with sinister designs, dubious agendas, and divisive motives. They expressed their sincere hope that the BJP leadership would take the necessary steps to foster a congenial atmosphere that would encourage the Paharis to support the B.JP in large numbers; however, they reiterated their caution that they would not accept as a choice those who opposed their genuine demands and made them suffer for decades.
They expressed earnest hope that a situation would not arise where it became difficult for them to persuade their community members to stand with unacceptable people. They expressed hope that they would be dealt with as a significant stakeholder in the entire political discourse. They also stated that soon they will take the entire Pahari leadership on board, cutting across the party affiliations and reaching out to other communities in Pir Panjal and north Kashmir to forge unity amongst the marginalised sections and play a vital role in the national interest. Those who attended the press conference included Thakur Flail Singh, Ex-Bureacrats Mohd Naseem Malik ,Nissar Khan were also present.