JAMMU: In an effort to allay concerns, the BJP has reaffirmed its commitment to the ST community’s reservations and stated unequivocally that the Gujjar community’s reservations in Jammu and Kashmir will not be diminished. At a news conference held here on Saturday, Gulam Ali Khatana, a senior BJP leader and MP for the Rajya Sabha, made this declaration.Speaking to media representatives, Khatana was accompanied by former Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh, former MP Choudhary Talib Hussain, BJP general secretary Sunil Sharma, BJP senior leader Devinder Singh Rana, president of the ST Morcha Ch. Roshan Hussain, and senior ST leader Arshad Choudhary. They stated that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had promised a tribal community delegation that the 10% reservation they had been granted would not be reduced under any circumstances. According to Khatana, the J&K BJP is also in support of the Modi government’s promise. The MP claimed that the ST community in Jammu and Kashmir endured decades of suffering under the leadership of the PDP, the NC, and the Congress, and that the Narendra Modi government was the only one to bring them justice.This government made a historic choice by granting this section reservation in order to improve its socioeconomic status. He recalled that in 2013, during the Lalkar rally in Jammu, Narendra Modi had made a public declaration that, upon assuming power, his government will provide justice to the marginalised and discriminated-against groups, with particular attention to the Scheduled Tribes. According to Khatana, several groups are attempting to deceive the STs into believing they won’t profit from reservations, which is completely untrue and unfounded. He stated that there is no chance of the reservation being diluted and that the BJP will continue to look out for the interests of the Scheduled Tribes. As the STs are switching their allegiance to the BJP after realising that it is the only political party that genuinely cares about their right to a dignified life, he urged them to trust the BJP and not fall for the false propaganda spread by such political parties. These parties had been taking this community for granted and were now feeling insecure. Ch. Talib Hussain reaffirmed that the BJP will keep working for the advancement and well-being of all racial and ethnic groups in Jammu and Kashmir, with a special emphasis on tribal people and other marginalised ethnic groups. He urged the Paharis and Gujjars of Jammu and Kashmir to fortify their long-standing solidarity, togetherness, and peaceful coexistence.
