Tribes in Jammu and Kashmir

• The government has brought a Bill to include four communities in the list of Scheduled Tribes (STs) in Jammu and Kashmir: “Gadda Brahmin”, “Koli”, “Paddari Tribe”, and “Pahari Ethnic Group”.
• The proposed expansion of the ST list has triggered unrest among the Gujjar-Bakerwal.
  • With a population of almost 18 lakh, the Gujjar-Bakerwal are the third largest group after Kashmiris and Dogras in J&K.
  • They were given ST status in 1991, along with the two smaller groups of Gaddis and Sippis.
• Gujjar-Bakerwal leaders are especially agitated with the proposed ST status for Paharis and Paddaris.
  • Gadda Brahmins and Kolis are very small communities; also, according to the protesters, Gadda Brahmins are a branch of the Gaddis while Kolis are a sub-caste of Sippis — both these communities are already in the ST list.

ABOUT PAHARI AND PADDARI TRIBES

• Pahari tribe are Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs, and include people of Kashmiri origin who settled in districts of Rajouri and Poonch.
• Paddari tribe lives in the remote Paddar area of the hilly Kishtwar district.
  • The 2011 census recorded the Paddari population at 21,548, comprising 6% Hindus, 9.5% Buddhists, and 6.8% Muslims.
  • Paddari homeland borders Zanskar (Ladakh) in north and east, Pangi (Himachal Pradesh) in south, and rest of J&K in west.

THE OPPOSITION

• Gujjar-Bakerwal opposition to the proposed inclusion of the Paddari Tribe in the ST list is based on the argument that they do not constitute a single ethic group, but are a mix of individuals from different castes and religions who speak a particular language.