The “Pahari ethnic group” has now been approved for inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes list of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir by the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST). The panel also approved a proposal that also called for the “Paddari tribe,” “Koli,” and “Gadda Brahman” communities to be listed on J&K’s ST list.

The panel approved the proposal received from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for their inclusion in its meeting on October 20 after multiple meetings.

“The commission has examined the proposal received from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs… The commission supports the proposal on the basis of the recommendation of the Office of the Registrar General of India [RGI],” the NCST said. 

This occurs within one month of Union Home Minister Amit Shah declaring in a public address in  Rajouri that the Pahari community would be given reservations in both jobs and education.

The commission for socially and educationally backward classes in the Union Territory, led by Justice (Retd.) G.D. Sharma had made the suggestion for their inclusion.

Currently, Jammu and Kashmir has 12 communities that have been notified as STs.