NCM seeks ST status for Van Gujjars in UP,Uttarakhand

National Commission for Minorities Chairman Wajahat Habibullah has recommended Scheduled Tribe status for the nomadic Muslim tribe of Van Gujjars in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Given their backwardness and disconnect with the mainstream,says Habibullah,the Van Gujjars in the two states should enjoy the same status as their counterparts in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. He has also argued that they should get the privileges enjoyed by traditional forest dwellers under the Forest Rights Act,2006.

He had visited and interacted with Van Gujjars in the Rajaji National Park area of Uttarakhand on March 16. The NCM claims that members of the tribe there have been harassed and deprived of their rights to livelihood.

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The NCM chairman has recommended that the forest officer of the national park stop all expulsion activities of the Gujjars immediately till the commission can visit along with forest and revenue officials and verify the veracity of their complaints. In their meeting with the NCM,Van Gujjars talked of harassment,intimidation and refusal of the police to register their complaints.

Pointing out that the Uttar Pradesh government had recommended ST status for Van Gujjars back in April 1994,NCM plans to pursue the matter with the Scheduled Tribes Commission and the concerned ministry in the government of India.