Pahari people (Kashmir)
The Pahari people or Pahari-speaking people is a cover term for a number of heterogeneous communities inhabiting the Pir Panjal Region in the Jammu division of the Indian administered Jammu and Kashmir and also parts of Pakistan administered Azad Kashmir.[1][2][3][4][5]
Pahari is also an ambiguous term used to describe a variety of Northern Indo-Aryan languages, most of which are found in the lower Himalayas. They are divided into Eastern Pahari (which includes Nepali), Central Pahari, and Western Pahari, consisting of a number of different languages.[6] The term is also used to refer to the Pahari variant of the Pahari-Pothwari dialect cluster.
Pahari Ethnic Group
Recently, the J&K Socially Economically Backward Classes Commission constituted by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir in 2020 in its report has recommended to renaming the group 'Pahari Speaking People' (who speak Pothowari dialects fall under Lahnda Western Punjabi) with the substitute nomenclature 'Pahari Ethnic Group' in terms of provisions that grant Reservation to them , as PSP, under J&K Reservation Rules 2004 and accordingly , the J&K government has issued instructions on October 19, 2022 and replaced 'Pahari Speaking People' with 'Pahari Ethnic Group' ,[7] which tends to identify them as an ethnic group to be brought under the purview of the Schedule of Tribes under the Constitution of India.[8][9]
People and Languages
The Pahari people are mainly referred to two groups:
- Speakers of several languages/dialects which are classified as Western Pahari by G.A. Grierson in the first Linguistic Survey of India. These include Bhadarwahi (including Bhalesi), Padderi, Sarazi, Gaddi and Dogri. They are predominantly spoken in the Jammu region in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.[10][11]The Pahari People who speak these languages are mainly drwan from Rajput clans popularly known as Rana, Parihar, Chandail, Charak, Chib etc.The Bhadarwahi, Sarazi, Bhalesi, Padri and Gaddi language mainly found in Doda district, Ramban district and Kishtwar district and Kathua district of Jammu region while speakers of Gujari speakers are found in entire J&K.[12][13][4]Folk dance performed by the Bhaderwahi-Pahari people
- Speakers of Lahnda (Western Punjabi)[14] dialects including Pahari–Pothwari in Azad Kashmir and Hindko. The dialects of the Pahari-Pothwari language complex cover most of the territory of Jammu and Azad Kashmir.[15] People of Azad Kashmir despite not being ethnic Kashmiris possess a strong sense of Kashmiri national identity that overrides linguistic identification with closely related groups outside Azad Kashmir,[16] such as the Pothwari Punjabis.[17] The dialects are also spoken further east across the Line of Control into the Pir Panjal mountains in Indian Jammu and Kashmir. The population, estimated at 1 million,[18] is found in the region between the Jhelum and Chenab rivers: most significantly in the districts of Poonch and Rajouri, to a lesser extent in neighbouring Baramulla and Kupwara,[19] and also – as a result of the influx of refugees during the Partition of 1947 – scattered throughout the rest of Jammu and Kashmir.[20]
Gujjar-Pahari rift over grant of Scheduled Tribe status
The Gujjars and other Tribal communities who have already listed as Scheduled Tribes in Jammu and Kashmir in 1991 are opposing grant of ST status and other similar benefits to the Pahari Speaking People of J&K with the argument that such a step will dilute the entire Scheduled Tribe status. They (Gujjars) are constantly countering the move to grant Scheduled Tribe status to 'Pahari Speaking People' on the basis of (Pahari) Language.[21][22][23][24] The Gujjars are of the view that such a move will adversely affect the development of tribes of the UT of J&K. The demand for grant of ST status – by Pahari-speaking people is based on the sole premises of the linguistic identity.[25]
In order to oppose the demand of ST to Paharis, the tribal Gujjar youth started foot March in November 2022.After 21 days struggle the Joint Action Committee was invited by the Home Minister of India in New Delhi for a dialogue.[26][27][28] Noted Tribal Researcher Javaid Rahi led the dialogue for and on behalf of Gujjars of Jammu and Kashmir.[29][30][31]
The Gujjars argue that majority of Pahari Speaking People belongs to upper class Muslims such as Syeds, Qazi, Per, Beg, Raja, Malik, Mirza, Khan, Mughals, Rajputs, Kashmiris and upper caste Sikhs, Hindus and Christians including Brahmins, Rajputs, Mahajans and they do not face any social stigma or caste inequality like Gujjars, Bakerwals, Gaddis and other tribes of Jammu and Kashmir do.[32][33][34][35][36][37][38] They said as per 2011 census the literacy rate among Scheduled Tribes of J&K is 50% and 59% in STs across India but in Pahari Speaking People especially in Poonch, Rajouri districts it is 68% and if Paharis entered into ST status the existing tribes will get affected adversely.[39][40][41][42] The Gujjars further arguing that the 'Pahari Speaking People' do not belong to a Socially, Economically and Educationally backward class like Gujjars, Bakarwals , Gaddis , Sippis and Shina who are in ST list of J&K.Tribes are opposing ST status to Pahari speaking as they are already enjoying 4% reservation under Actual Control Line habitat, 10% under RBA, 4% under Other Social Castes, 10% under Economically Weaker Section, 4% under Pahari Speaking besides 48% General Category and now they are trying to get the share in 10% granted to Gujjars under ST.[43][44][45][46]
Meanwhile a number of organisations of displaced communities' have started a struggle and demanding ST status for them as they are also Paharis. In addition to this, they are urging for a share in 4% reservations in Govt Jobs/ Admissions granted to 'Pahari Speaking People' as these communities belongs to same clans of PSP and they speaks Pahari dialects fall under Lehnda Group.[47][48]
Establishment of Pahari Board & grant of 4% Reservation to PSP
The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has established an Advisory Board for the development of Pahari Speaking People in 1989 for the welfare of Pahari People.[49][50] Nevertheless, core demands – like that for a Scheduled Tribe status and the associated affirmative action benefits – were not met. In 1989, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir recommended to the Union Government of India that the Paharis of Kashmir should be granted such status,[51][52] and this recommendation was reiterated in 1994 by the governor of Jammu and Kashmir and the chief ministers of the state.[53][54]
In April 2020, the government of Jammu and Kashmir granted to "Pahari-speaking people" four percent reservation for direct recruitment and admission and distribution of seats in professional institutions.[55] This has sparked disagreements between representatives of the two unrelated "Pahari" communities – those of eastern Kashmir and those of mountains of western Jammu – as to which group of the two constitutes the "genuine Paharis" with a more disadvantaged status, and therefore stronger claim to receiving the benefits of the reservation policy.[56][57]
See also
References
- "Ethnic Plurality in Jammu and Kashmir- A Sociological Analysis -Book- Man in India". Research Gate.
- "Chapter 05-IDENTITY FORMATION AND ASSERTION A STUDY OF PAHARI SPEAKING COMMUNITY OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR" (PDF). Department of Sociology University of Jammu -shodhganga.
- "Vol. Linguistic Survey of India Vol 9, Pt. 4 Indo-Aryan Family. Central Group. Specimens of the Pahārī Languages and Gujurī". Digital South Asia Library.
- "GADDI -Vol. Linguistic Survey of India Vol 9, Pt. 4 Indo-Aryan Family. Central Group. Specimens of the Pahārī Languages and Gujurī". Digital South Asia Library.
- "Gujari -Vol. Linguistic Survey of India Vol 9, Pt. 4 Indo-Aryan Family. Central Group. Specimens of the Pahārī Languages and Gujurī". Digital South Asia Library.
- "Definition of Pahari". Dictionary.com. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
- "JK govt sets up backward classes commission". Business Standard India. Press Trust of India. 2020-03-19. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
- Sharma, Ronik (2022-11-07). "Opposition to ST Status to Pahari ethnic group".
- "J&K amends rules: Pahari ethnicity, not language, to be criterion for reservation". The Indian Express. 2022-10-23. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
- "Vol. Linguistic Survey of India published in 1928. Vol 9, Pt. 4 Indo-Aryan Family. Central Group. Specimens of the Pahārī Languages and Gujurī". Digital South Asia Library.
- "Vol. Linguistic Survey of India Vol 9, Pt. 4 Indo-Aryan Family. Central Group. Specimens of the Pahārī Languages and Gujurī". Digital South Asia Library.
- "Vol. Linguistic Survey of India published in 1928. Vol 9, Pt. 4 Indo-Aryan Family. Central Group. Specimens of the Pahārī Languages and Gujurī". Digital South Asia Library.
- "Vol. Linguistic Survey of India Vol 9, Pt. 4 Indo-Aryan Family. Central Group. Specimens of the Pahārī Languages and Gujurī". Digital South Asia Library.
- "Linguistic Survey of India".
- Lothers, Michael; Lothers, Laura (2010). Pahari and Pothwari: A Sociolinguistic Survey (Report). SIL Electronic Survey Reports. Vol. 2010–012.
- Shackle 2007, p. 114.
- Sonstige., Joseph C., Mathew 1966- (2017). Understanding Pakistan : emerging voices from india. ISBN 978-1-138-23490-1. OCLC 991571023.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - A 2000 estimate reported in Ethnologue (2017)
- Singh 2014, p. 18 ; Bhat 2014, ch. 1, pp. 38, 40
- Lists of regions and settlements are found in Bhat (2014, ch. 1, pp. 40, 43–44) and Kour (2014) .
- https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/j-k/gujjars-oppose-paharis-demand-for-st-status-420531 Gujjars oppose Paharis' demand for ST status
- "Gujjars, Paharis spar over tribe status". The Hindustan Times. December 2007.
- "J&K Gujjars meet Union Tribal Minister oppose ST status to Paharis". The Scoop News.
- "Gujjar and Bakerwal oppose ST status to 'Paharis' in J&K". 20 August 2007.
- Sharma, Malvika (2020). "Remaking of ethnic-boundaries: identity and religion among Sikhs in the borderland of Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir". Asian Ethnicity. 23 (2): 1–19. doi:10.1080/14631369.2020.1811951. S2CID 225268135.
- https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/paharis-in-st-list-gujjars-bakerwals-to-boycott-union-tribal-ministers-jk-visit-in-protest/article66115446.ece Paharis in ST list Gujjars Bakerwals to boycott Union Tribal Ministers J&K visit in protest
- https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/after-home-minister-s-assurance-bakerwals-gujjars-discontinue-foot-march-101669657830211.html After Home Minister’s assurance, Bakerwals, Gujjars discontinue foot march
- "Why are tribals from Jammu and Kashmir protesting inclusion of Paharis in ST list?". 16 November 2022.
- https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/shah-meets-protesting-gujjar-bakerwals-assures-no-dilution-in-their-existing-quota/ Shah Meet Gujjars of J&K
- https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/gujjar-bakerwals-call-off-agitation-against-paharis-st-status-after-amit-shahs-assurances/article66196692.ece Gujjar, Bakerwals call off agitation against Paharis’ ST status after Amit Shah’s assurances
- https://www.news18.com/news/politics/gujjar-leaders-protest-in-jk-against-st-tag-granted-to-paharis-say-their-inclusion-will-deter-upliftment-6331165.html Gujjar Leaders Protest in J&K Against Paharis Getting ST Tag, Say Their Inclusion Will Deter Upliftment
- https://www.news9live.com/india/jks-gujjar-bakkerwal-communities-up-in-arms-against-st-status-for-paharis-140426 Gujjars up in arms against ST status to Paharis
- https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/gujjars-bakerwals-gaddis-oppose-st-status-to-paharis/ Gujjars-Bakerwals, Gaddis oppose ST status to ‘Paharis’
- https://www.risingkashmir.com/-Gujjars--Bakerwals--Gaddis-oppose-ST-status-to--Paharis---appeal-HM-to-intervene-113337 Gujjars, Bakerwals, Gaddis oppose ST status to 'Paharis'; appeal HM to intervene
- KO (2021-12-28). "Gujjar-Pahari: The Vicious Divide in Pir Panjal Region". Kashmir Observer. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
- Ashiq, Peerzada (2022-06-06). "Pir Panjal emerges key electoral battleground to capture power in J&K". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
- . https://www.thedispatch.in/bjp-on-their-side-pahari-leaders-have-effectively-put-their-gujjar-counterparts-in-spot/ BJP on their side, Pahari leaders have effectively put their Gujjar counterparts in spot
- https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/jk-pahari-gujjar-divide-sharpens-before-amit-shah-visit/cid/1890127 J&K: Pahari-Gujjar divide sharpens before Amit Shah visit
- https://tribal.nic.in/downloads/Statistics/AnnualReport/AREnglish2021.pdf Tribal Affairs , Govt of India Report 2021 on tribes of India
- https://kashmirlife.net/the-peak-fault-line-vol-14-issue-26-300890/ The Peak Fault Line ST
- http://www.schedujammu.nic.in/district%20poonch.html Literacy Rate of Poonch
- https://www.indiagrowing.com/Jammu_And_Kashmir/Rajouri_District Literacy Rate of Rajouri
- "Gujjars, Paharis spar over tribe status". December 2007.
- "Gujjars oppose ST status for Paharis".
- "Govt push to grant ST status to Pahari community -Mufti". 5 Darya News.
- "CM promises ST status to Paharis". Early Times News.
- https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/scheduled-tribe-status-for-pojk-displaced/ POK Displaced Communities demanded ST status
- https://theprint.in/india/pojk-refugee-leader-threatens-self-immolation-if-pahari-status-denied/925113/ POJK Refugee demands 4% Reservation under PSP
- "Schemes State Advisory Board for the development of Pahari Speaking People" (PDF). Social Welfare Department, Jammu and Kashmir Government -Pahari Speaking People Board.
- "State Advisory Board for the development of Pahari Speaking People". Jammu and Kashmir Government - Pahari Speaking People Board.
- "Pahari Speaking People meet PM with ST status demand". Excelsior News. 3 February 2019.
- "Pahari Community Reiterates Demand For ST Status". Jammu Kashmir Archives.
- "Pahari Community Reiterates Demand For ST Status". Jammu Kashmir Archives.
- "Scheduled Tribe Status for Paharis in J&K". IPCS News.
- "Govt of Jammu and Kashmir ordered granting 4% Reservation for Pahari Speaking People of Jammu and Kashmir" (PDF). IPEC.
- "NC demands Pahari status to erstwhile Doda distt". Daily Excelsior Jammu. 10 September 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
- "Row over decision on quota issue Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir refugees claim to be the 'real Paharis'". Daily Excelsior Jammu. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
External links
- Map of Western Pahari languages from Grierson's early 20th-century Linguistic Survey of India