Don’t get divided : TRCF to Gujjars-Bakerwals

Don’t get divided : TRCF to Gujjars-Bakerwals Srinagar - 25th of May 2014. Cautioning the Gujjars and Bakerwals of Jammu and Kashmir of the attempt of some particular groups mainly active in Poonch, Rajouri districts and Uri , Karanah Tehsils to divide our community on small ethnic lines –the Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation -a frontal organisation today appealed the tribe to remain united on all fronts and give a befitting reply to disintegrating forces. Dr. Javaid Rahi , Secretary of Tribal Foundation while addressing a meeting community members here stated that some people in border areas of the state are bent upon to segregate the vibrant Gujjar identity into two parts which is highly condemnable and deeply intolerable. He said that Gujjars and Bakerwals are one Tribe popularly known as Gujjars or Gurjars in South Asia. He said Gujjars have many names like Ajjadh , Dhangar, Dohdhi, Vanvasi and added that those Gujjars who rear “goats” are called Bakerwals- as word Bakarwal is derived from the term, Bakri/Bakar meaning "goat/Sheep", and Wal meaning "one who takes care of" therefore this name was given to those Gujjars who are rearing goats and Sheeps. He said they – Gujjars and Bakerwals - share same History, Culture, Language-Gojri- and racial identity . Even all anthropological and genetic studies conducted on Gujjars-Bakerwals says that they are not a separate identities in any ways, he added. He said in 1991 the Gujjars-Bakerwals are granted Tribal status in Jammu and Kashmir and a study was conducted by Union Government of India before granting the Scheduled Tribe Status to them . The study reveals that Bakerwal is another name of Gujjars entered in revenue records that’s why both the names ( Gujjars and Bakerwals ) were included while the community was enlisted in tribal category in Indian constitutions. Dr. Rahi said ‘Hazrat Baba Abdullah Larvi’ popularly known as Babaji Sahib” R A of Wangat Kangan Kashmir-the grandfather of Mian Bashir Ahmed was a Bakerwal-Bajran-Gujjar saint and was most revered by Gujjars of Jammu and Kashmir thereby the division created by some anti Gujjar forces among Gujjars-Bakerwals is irrational ,illogical and unjustified. Essentially, the name "Bakarwal" implies "high-altitude goatherds/shepherds" Gujjars .The Bakarwals belongs to the same ethnicity stock as the Gujjars, and inter-marriages freely take place among them. They enjoy equal status in Tribal society Dr Rahi said and added there are number of examples where one brothers name entered in revenue record as Bakerwal and Others as Gujjars. Recently there were some reports of division between Gujjars-Bakerwals and some non tribal groups of Poonch and Rajouri are instigating a wrong war to divide Gujjar community who form third largest group of the State after Kashmiri and Dogras and constitute more than 20% population of total population of Jammu and Kashmir.(by dr javed rahi.