Pahari people (Kashmir)

Last updated

The Pahari people or Pahari-speaking people is a cover term for a number of heterogeneous communities inhabiting in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, Pothohar Plateau, the Hindkowans of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and also some parts of Pakistan-administered Azad Kashmir who speak Pahari languages/dialects. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

Contents

Pahari Ethnic Group

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]

Scheduled Tribes status granted Pahari Ethnic Group

ST status was granted to Pahari Speaking People' (who speak Pothowari dialects fall under Lahnda Western Punjabi) through an Act passed by Parliament. On 26 July 2023, the bill to add Pahari Ethnic Group along with the Paddari Tribe, Koli and Gadda Brahman in the existing list of scheduled tribes in Jammu and Kashmir was introduced in the Lok Sabha. [10] The bill was taken into consideration on February 6, 2024 and was passed the same day. [11] The bill was further passed from the Rajya Sabha on February 9. [12] The Act of Parliament received the President's Assent on the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Act, 2024. A gazette notification in this regard was issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice states on 12 February 2024. [13]

People and Languages

The Pahari people are mainly referred to two groups:

Gujjar-Pahari issue over Scheduled Tribe status

The Gujjars who have been 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. [25] [26] [27] [28] The Gujjars are of the view that such a move will dilute their share of reservation in the UT of J&K.

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. [29] [30] [31] [32] [33] [34]

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 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. [35] [36] [37] [38] [39] [40] [41] 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. [42] [43] [44] [45] 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. Gujjars are opposing ST status to Paharis as they believe Paharis 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. [46] [47] [48] [49]

Meanwhile a number of organisations of displaced communities consisting of West Pakistan refugees who were exiled during partition now residing primarily in Jammu have been struggling and demanding ST status for them as they are also Paharis. [50] [51] 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 Lahnda Group. [52] [53]

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. [54] [55] Nevertheless, core demands – like that for a Scheduled Tribe status and the associated affirmative action benefits – were not met (until 2024). 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, [56] [57] and this recommendation was reiterated in 1994 by the governor of Jammu and Kashmir and the chief ministers of the state. [58] [59]

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. [60] 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. [61] [62]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kashmiri language</span> Indo-Aryan language spoken in Kashmir

Kashmiri or Koshur is a Dardic Indo-Aryan language spoken by around 7 million Kashmiris of the Kashmir region, primarily in the Kashmir Valley and Chenab Valley of the Indian-administrated union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, over half the population of that territory. Kashmiri has split ergativity and the unusual verb-second word order.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pahari-Pothwari</span> Indo-Aryan language variety spoken in Pakistan

Pahari-Pothwari is an Indo-Aryan language variety of Lahnda group, spoken on the Pothohar Plateau in the far north of Punjab, Pakistan, as well as in most of Pakistan-administered Azad Kashmir and in western areas of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, is known by a variety of names, the most common of which are Pahari, and Pothwari.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khas people</span> Indo-Aryan ethno-linguistic group of Nepal and India

Khas peoples or Khas Tribes, popularly known as Khashya are an Indo-Aryan ethno-linguistic group native to the Himalayan region of the Indian subcontinent, in what is now the South Asian country of Nepal, as well as the Indian states of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam and Sikkim. Khas consists of many subtribes like Kshetri, Thakuri, Bahun, khas dalit and Sanyasis and all spread across the Himalayas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kashmiris</span> Ethnolinguistic group native to the Kashmir Valley

Kashmiris are an Indo-Aryan ethnolinguistic group speaking the Kashmiri language and originating from the Kashmir Valley, which is today located in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bakarwal</span> Ethnic community in Jammu and Kashmir

The Bakarwal, are a nomadic ethnic group who along with Gujjars, have been listed as Scheduled Tribes in the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh since 1991. Bakerwal and Gujjar is the largest Muslim tribe and the third-largest ethnic community in the Indian part of Jammu and Kashmir.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Poonch district, India</span> District of Jammu and Kashmir administered by India in Jammu & Kashmir

Poonch or Punch is a district of the Jammu division of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir in the disputed Kashmir region. With headquarters in the town of Poonch, it is bounded by the Line of Control on three sides. The 1947–48 war between India and Pakistan divided the earlier district into two parts. One went to Pakistan and the other became part of the then-Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gujari language</span> Variety of Rajasthani spoken by the Gujars

Gujari is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by most of the Gujjars in the northern parts of India and Pakistan as well as in Afghanistan. It is a member of the Rajasthani group of languages.

The Gurjar are an agricultural ethnic community, residing mainly in India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, divided internally into various clan groups. They were traditionally involved in agriculture, pastoral and nomadic activities and formed a large heterogeneous group. The historical role of Gurjars has been quite diverse in society: at one end they have been founders of several kingdoms and dynasties and, at the other end, some are still nomads with no land of their own.

Pahari, or Pahadi is an ambiguous term that has been used for a variety of languages, dialects and language groups, most of which are found in the lower Himalayas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Punjabi dialects and languages</span> Dialects and languages spoken in the Punjab region of Pakistan and India

The Punjabi dialects and languages or Greater Punjabi are a series of dialects and languages spoken around the Punjab region of Pakistan and India with varying degrees of official recognition. They have sometimes been referred to as the Greater Punjabi macrolanguage. Punjabi may also be considered as a pluricentric language with more than one standard variety.

Mohammad Aslam Kohli is a political leader from the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. He is the head of the Gujjar and Bakerwal Tehreek-e-Insaf, an organization representing Gujjar and Bakarwal interests, such as ensuring continuation of statewide job reservations for Gujjars under the Scheduled Tribe list and participating in the Gujjar movement to be listed as a Scheduled Tribe at the national level. He is also a leader of the Jammu Migrants Front, an organization engaged in advocacy for internal migrants from the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mandi Tehsil</span> Tehsil in Jammu and Kashmir, India world

Mandi is a town and a tehsil in the Poonch district of the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Mandi is located in east of the Poonch district, about 171 kilometres (106 mi) from Srinagar and 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) south of the Line of Control with Pakistan. The Ancient Hindu temple Baba Budha Amernath is located here.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sarazi language</span> Language spoken in the Saraz region of Jammu, India

Sarazi or Sirazi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken in the Saraz region of the Jammu division of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is native to the Saraz region, a hilly area taking up the northern half of Doda district and parts of neighbouring Ramban and Kishtwar districts. Sarazi is spoken as a first language by 46,000 people, primarily Hindus, but it is also used as a lingua franca of the Saraz region and so is also spoken as a second language by Muslims, whom are native speakers of Kashmiri.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pangwali</span> Western Pahari language of India

Pangwali is a Western Pahari language of Himachal Pradesh, India. It is spoken in the Pangi Tehsil of Chamba district, and is threatened to go extinct. Pangwali is natively written in the Takri script, but Devanagari is used as well. It is very similar to the Padderi language of Padder, J&K.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gaddi language</span> Indo-Aryan language spoken in India

Gaddi is an Indo-Aryan language of India. It is spoken by the Gaddi people primarily residing in the Bharmour region of Chamba district and the upper reaches of Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh. It is also spoken in neighbouring parts of Jammu, with Gaddi villages found in Udhampur, Kathua and Doda districts.

Pogali, or Poguli, is an Indo-Aryan language spoken in parts of the Chenab Valley in Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir, India. Its area encompasses the Pogal and Paristan, Ramsu Banihal Khari Reasi's village and cheneni, and currently falls within the of Ramban district's .Pogali while based on Kashmiri, is much mixed with Pahari and Lahnda, and forms a transition dialect. In 1911 the number of speakers was reported to be 8,158. Like its neighbours Sarazi and Rambani, Pogali is intermediate between Kashmiri and Western Pahari.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Javaid Rahi</span> Indian author, tribal social

Javaid Rahi is an Indian author, researcher and tribal social worker. He is a writer and poet of Gojri, Punjabi and Urdu languages. He has written 25 books and edited over 300 books and issues of magazines in different languages especially in the field of tribal literature, history, and culture of pastoralists including Gujjars, Bakarwals, Shina-Dard, Sippis, and Gaddis— and other Scheduled Tribes groups of India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mumtaz Ahmed Khan (Jammu and Kashmir politician)</span> Mumtaz Ahmad Khan is a Politician from Jammu and Kashmir

Mumtaz Ahmed Khan is Indian Politician and Former Member of 12th Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly. Khan was previously associated with Indian National Congress but left the party in 2021 and joined Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party. Prior to Assembly Elections of Jammu and Kashmir 2024, Khan switched back to Indian National Congress and contested elections from Reasi Assembly Constituency. In 2008 and 2014, Haji Mumtaz contested from Gulabgarh constituency earlier his father was used to contest from Gulabgarh. Khan’s father was Haji Buland Khan, who was a three-time member of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly. Mumtaz' elder brother is Ajaz Ahmed Khan who was a former Minister and three-time member of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.

The Sarazi people are an Indo-Aryan ethnolinguistic group inhabiting the Saraz region of the Jammu division in Jammu and Kashmir, India. Their primary language is Sarazi, classified as a member of the Western Pahari language family. While primarily Muslim, the Sarazi people also include a small minority of Hindu communities who speak Sarazi as a second language.

Pahari culture refers to the cultural practices, traditions, arts, languages, lifestyles, and social behavior of the people living in the hilly regions of northern India, Pakistan, and Nepal. The term "pahari" or "pahadi" originates from the Hindi word "pahad", denotes "mountain" or "hill", and collectively describes the inhabitants of mountainous areas, including parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and northern Pakistan, as well as the Himalayan foothills in Nepal.

References

  1. ↑ "Who are Paharis". Indian Express.
  2. ↑ "Ethnic Plurality in Jammu and Kashmir- A Sociological Analysis -Book- Man in India". Research Gate.
  3. ↑ "Chapter 05-IDENTITY FORMATION AND ASSERTION A STUDY OF PAHARI SPEAKING COMMUNITY OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR" (PDF). Department of Sociology University of Jammu -shodhganga.
  4. ↑ "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.
  5. 1 2 "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.
  6. ↑ "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.
  7. ↑ "JK govt sets up backward classes commission". Business Standard India. Press Trust of India. 2020-03-19. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  8. ↑ Sharma, Ronik (2022-11-07). "Opposition to ST Status to Pahari ethnic group".
  9. ↑ "J&K amends rules: Pahari ethnicity, not language, to be criterion for reservation". The Indian Express. 2022-10-23. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  10. ↑ Bureau, The Hindu (2023-07-26). "Bills to expand Jammu & Kashmir's Scheduled Castes, Schedule Tribes lists introduced in the Lok Sabha". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 2023-07-26.{{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  11. ↑ Ashiq, Abhinay Lakshman & Peerzada (2024-02-06). "Amid protests in Jammu, Lok Sabha passes Bill to include Paharis in J&K's ST list". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 2024-02-06.
  12. ↑ "The new Scheduled Tribe in J&K: Paharis". Hindustan Times. 2024-02-09. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  13. ↑ https://www.greaterkashmir.com/governance/president-gives-assent-to-jk-scheduled-tribes-amendment-act-2024/%7CSt Status to Pahari granted through notification dated 12/02/2024
  14. ↑ "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.
  15. ↑ "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.
  16. ↑ "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.
  17. ↑ "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.
  18. ↑ "Linguistic Survey of India".
  19. ↑ Lothers, Michael; Lothers, Laura (2010). Pahari and Pothwari: A Sociolinguistic Survey (Report). SIL Electronic Survey Reports. Vol. 2010–012.
  20. ↑ Shackle 2007, p. 114.
  21. ↑ 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) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  22. ↑ A 2000 estimate reported in Ethnologue (2017)
  23. ↑ Singh 2014 , p. 18; Bhat 2014 , ch. 1, pp. 38, 40
  24. ↑ Lists of regions and settlements are found in Bhat (2014 , ch. 1, pp. 40, 43–44) and Kour (2014) .
  25. ↑ https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/j-k/gujjars-oppose-paharis-demand-for-st-status-420531 Gujjars oppose Paharis' demand for ST status
  26. ↑ "Gujjars, Paharis spar over tribe status". The Hindustan Times. December 2007.
  27. ↑ "J&K Gujjars meet Union Tribal Minister oppose ST status to Paharis". The Scoop News.
  28. ↑ "Gujjar and Bakerwal oppose ST status to 'Paharis' in J&K". 20 August 2007.
  29. ↑ Ashiq, Peerzada (2022-11-09). "Paharis in ST list: Gujjars, Bakerwals to boycott Union Tribal Minister's J&K visit in protest". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  30. ↑ "After Home Minister's assurance, Bakerwals, Gujjars discontinue foot march". Hindustan Times. 2022-11-28. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  31. ↑ "Why are tribals from Jammu and Kashmir protesting inclusion of Paharis in ST list?". 16 November 2022.
  32. ↑ "Shah meets protesting Gujjar-Bakerwals, assures no dilution in their existing quota". DailyExcelsior. 2022-11-24. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  33. ↑ Ashiq, Peerzada (2022-11-28). "Gujjar, Bakerwals call off agitation against Paharis' ST status after Amit Shah's assurances". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  34. ↑ "Gujjar Leaders Protest in J&K Against Paharis Getting ST Tag, Say Their Inclusion Will Deter Upliftment". News18. 2022-11-07. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  35. ↑ 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
  36. ↑ "Gujjars-Bakerwals, Gaddis oppose ST status to 'Paharis'". DailyExcelsior. 2022-08-12. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  37. ↑ 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
  38. ↑ KO (2021-12-28). "Gujjar-Pahari: The Vicious Divide in Pir Panjal Region". Kashmir Observer. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  39. ↑ 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.
  40. ↑ "BJP on their side, Pahari leaders have effectively put their Gujjar counterparts in spot". The Dispatch. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  41. ↑ "J&K: Pahari-Gujjar divide sharpens before Amit Shah visit". www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  42. ↑ https://tribal.nic.in/downloads/Statistics/AnnualReport/AREnglish2021.pdf Tribal Affairs, Govt of India Report 2021 on tribes of India
  43. ↑ "The Peak Fault Line". Kashmir Life. 2022-09-24. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  44. ↑ http://www.schedujammu.nic.in/district%20poonch.html Literacy Rate of Poonch
  45. ↑ "Rajouri Population 2023, District Tehsils List, Jammu And Kashmir". www.indiagrowing.com. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  46. ↑ "Gujjars, Paharis spar over tribe status". December 2007.
  47. ↑ "Gujjars oppose ST status for Paharis".
  48. ↑ "Govt push to grant ST status to Pahari community -Mufti". 5 Darya News.
  49. ↑ "CM promises ST status to Paharis". Early Times News.
  50. ↑ Excelsior, Daily. "MJR-47 demands ST status for PoJK DPs of 1947". DailyExcelsior. Retrieved 2023-07-17.
  51. ↑ Service, Statesman News. "PoJK refugees call on BJP govt to fulfil their demands before elections". The Statesman. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  52. ↑ "Scheduled tribe status for POJK displaced". DailyExcelsior. 2022-08-29. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  53. ↑ "PoJK refugee leader threatens self-immolation if 'Pahari' status denied". ThePrint. 2022-04-21. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  54. ↑ "Schemes State Advisory Board for the development of Pahari Speaking People" (PDF). Social Welfare Department, Jammu and Kashmir Government -Pahari Speaking People Board.
  55. ↑ "State Advisory Board for the development of Pahari Speaking People". Jammu and Kashmir Government - Pahari Speaking People Board.
  56. ↑ "Pahari Speaking People meet PM with ST status demand". Excelsior News. 3 February 2019.
  57. ↑ "Pahari Community Reiterates Demand For ST Status". Jammu Kashmir Archives.
  58. ↑ "Pahari Community Reiterates Demand For ST Status". Jammu Kashmir Archives.
  59. ↑ "Scheduled Tribe Status for Paharis in J&K". IPCS News.
  60. ↑ "Govt of Jammu and Kashmir ordered granting 4% Reservation for Pahari Speaking People of Jammu and Kashmir" (PDF). IPEC.
  61. ↑ "NC demands Pahari status to erstwhile Doda distt". Daily Excelsior Jammu. 10 September 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  62. ↑ "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.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.