If a measure proposing reserve for Paharis is tabled in the forthcoming session of Parliament, the All Reserved Categories Joint Action Committee (ARCJAC), an elite organisation representing tribal tribes, has issued a severe warning that it would organize demonstrations on the streets.
Anwar Choudhary, an advocate for the ARCJAC, spoke out strongly against the law, saying it is illegitimate and unconstitutional.
He argued that Paharis do not fit the requirements to be considered a Scheduled Tribe (ST) and emphasized that the measure should not even be brought up for discussion, much alone passed.
Mohammad Azam, a different supporter, brought up the topic of population dynamics and said that the Paharis had a higher population than the Gujjars.
He issued a warning to the administration, saying that if the bill is passed, the BJP will lose every Jammu-area Assembly seat.
The Gujjars and Bakerwals, the third-largest group in Jammu and Kashmir, conveyed a stern message to the government, emphasizing that they would not allow their rights to be taken away and handed to upper-caste people.
He cautioned that if people came to the streets, it would be impossible to manage the situation and that they could be able to affect the result of the election for 60 Assembly seats.
In October of last year, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi supported the reservation for Paharis and that the quota will soon be enforced.
“Justice Sharma has suggested giving Paharis Scheduled Tribe status. The advice would be put into practice, according to Prime Minister Modi, Shah had said at a large gathering in Rajouri, Jammu & Kashmir.