Pahari linguistic leaders met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi and raised the demand for ST status for Pahari linguistic people, so that the hills can get their due at the earliest. During the meeting, BJP general secretary Vibodh Gupta told Amit Shah that the hill tribes represent a large population of 12 lakh in Jammu and Kashmir. He said that this tribe has been struggling for the last several decades to get ST status like the Gujjars and Bakkarwals living in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Highlighting the plight of the hill tribes, the Pahari leaders said that being close to the LoC, the community has been the most affected by partition in the past due to two wars and terrorism. He thanked Amit Shah and the central government for providing four per cent reservation to the hill tribes and recognizing the plight of the hill people. Today, the hill tribes have high expectations from the central leadership, especially from Prime Minister Modi and Amit Shah.
Responding to the genuine demands of the Pahari leaders, Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured them that all genuine demands and concerns of the Pahari community would be taken care of. Shah said that this time the Modi government will do justice to the hill people living in Rajouri, Poonch, Uri, Keran and Kernah, Shopian and Pahalgam districts. He further said that the Modi government is fully aware of the real issues of the hill tribes and also recognizes the great sacrifices made by this patriotic community for the country.