Gujjars, Bakerwals seek setting up of tribal university in J&K

JAMMU: The Gujjar and Bakerwal community of Jammu and Kashmir have demanded setting up of a tribal university in the Pir Panchal belt with special reservation for marginalised groups and people living in remote and backward areas of the state.

Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation (TRCF), a frontal organisation of the nomad Gujjar and Bakerwal community, has sent two separate memorandums to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Human Resources Development Ministry Smriti Irani in this regard.

"We are demanding a tribal university in the state since long. Two year ago, a delegation of tribal dignitaries from the state met the then Union Human Resource Minister and submitted a memorandum but nothing concrete emerged out of it so far," TRCF Secretary Javaid Rahi said.

"To remind the Centre, we have sent a fresh communiqué to PM and HRD Minister, he said.

"There is an urgent need to promote studies and research in tribal art, culture, tradition, language, custom, medical systems, forest based economic activities, special studies in the flora and fauna and advancements in technologies relating to natural resources of the tribal areas of the state," the fresh communiqué states, adding "Establishing a tribal university can cater to all these needs."

In a separate memorandum, the TRCF has also appealed Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Minister Tribal Affairs Choudhary Zulfkar Ali to press the Centre over the issue.

The establishment of the university will cater to the specific educational needs of the tribal and marginalised population of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and other north western Himalayan states, the memorandum stated.

It also stated that 12 tribes of Jammu and Kashmir are demanding establishment of a Tribal University in state on the lines of Indra Gandhi National Tribal University in Madhya Pradesh.