Kashmiri Gujjars demands Tribal University in J&K

Srinagar, July 19 (Vijay Kumar) – The  Gujjars of Jammu and Kashmir today demanding the  establishment of a “Tribal University” in Pir Panchal belt of Indian Himalayas. They sought the intervention of  Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh to help them out in preserving and propagating  the  richest  tribal art, culture, language, customs and medicine systems  of State, through a highest  seat learning.

In a memorandum addressed to Prime Minister, has urged that there is an urgent need for promoting studies and research in tribal art, culture, tradition, language, custom, medicinal systems, forest based economic activities, including special studies in the flora and fauna, and advancements in technologies relating to natural resources of the tribal areas of the state and only Tribal University can full fill all these growing demands.

Javaid Rahi National Secretary of Tribal Foundation told media  “We are demanding a Tribal University in the state prior to  2007 when first ever tribal university was established  in Madhya Pradesh” added that “Last year a delegation of Tribal dignities from J&K State also met with Union Minister for Human Resource Development in New Delhi and submitted a memorandum along with other necessary documents but nothing concrete  has emerged out of it,  so for”.

He said , “The Tribals constitute a sizeable population of Jammu and Kashmir State and Gujjars comprise 85% of the Scheduled Tribe communities” ,  adding that “setting up of a university exclusively for promoting avenues for higher education and research facilities for the tribal population and will defiantly trim down the feeling of discriminations among various tribal groups”.

Javaid said the tribals of J&K demanding an amendment in  National Tribal University Act, 2007 enacted by Parliament to extend it to JK to establish and incorporate a teaching and affiliating University, in the State to facilitate and promote avenues of higher education and research facilities primarily for the tribal population of northern States of India.

He said establishment of Tribal  University in the State of J&K would  made  it a prime-mover for development in the tribal areas hitherto neglected. He said,  meanwhile,  we are also demanding that the seat of the University should  accordingly been located in Pir Panchal area which is a central point in the tribal areas stretching between Jammu ,Kashmir and Ladakh Region.