Says Modi Govt provided ST status to Paharis, did justice to OBCs
STATE TIMES NEWS
NOWSHERA: Successive governments headed by National Conference, Congress and PDP in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir had exploited the nomadic tribes for years together and used them just for their political motives.
This was stated by Priya Sethi, National Executive Member BJP and former Minister while interacting with people of Nowshera.
Sarpanch Anil Kumar, Mandal Adyaksh Ravinder and DDC Rajender Sharma were also present. Priya Sethi highlighted the historical exploitation endured by nomadic tribes under the regimes of the National Conference (NC), Congress, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
She emphasized that these political entities had utilized the nomadic tribes solely for their own political gains, disregarding their welfare and well-being.
The former minister said that votes of nomadic tribes will never be polled in NC’s favour because this party’s successive governments exploited them for years together. She reiterated that several promises were made with the nomadic people during election campaigns but were never fulfilled once the votes were secured. This cycle of exploitation, promising change but failing to deliver, had left the nomadic tribes disillusioned and disenfranchised.
Priya Sethi said that the BJP on the contrary provided avenues to the people of J&K especially the Gujjars and Bakerwals and other underprivileged sections including ST status to Paharis, which was their long pending demand, to live a life full of dignity and pride. The senior BJP leader said that the Bharatiya Janata Party has decided to extend support to like-minded parties contesting in the Kashmir Valley as she also cautioned people to stay away from such parties which are doing politics just to fill their own pockets.
She asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party is working on the principles of Sab Ka Saath Sab Ka Vikas and Sab ka Vishwa.
She said the BJP Government at the Centre has prioritized delivering justice to the Gujjar and Bakerwal communities by safeguarding their reservation rights and extending support through various benefits via centrally sponsored schemes. She said this proactive approach has posed challenges for the NC party, as it is increasingly evident that members of the Gujjar and Bakerwal communities, alongside Paharis, are unlikely to support the NC due to their realization of the strategies and deceptions employed by the NC over an extended period, she added.
Expressing concern over this systemic exploitation, Priya Sethi urged the people to remain vigilant and to distance themselves from political parties that engage in opportunistic practices at the expense of marginalized communities such as the nomadic tribes.
“It is high time that we break free from the shackles of exploitative politics and strive towards building a society where every individual, including the nomadic tribes, is treated with dignity and respect,” she added.