The Jammu and Kashmir government has issued an order to revise the social caste list by including 15 new classes under the J&K Reservation Act. The new list includes the Christian Biradari community, converts from the Hindu Valmiki caste.
As per the notification dated October 19, 2022, the new groups added are Waghey (Chopan), Ghirath/Bhati/Chang Community, Jat Community, Saini Community, Markabans/ Poly Walas, Sochi Community, Christian Biradari (Converted from Hindu Valmiki), Sunar/Swarankar, Teeli (Hindu Teeli along with already existing Muslim Teli), Perna/Kouro (kaurav), Bojru/Decount/Dubdabay Brahmin, Gorkans, Gorkhas, West Pakistani Refugees (excluding SCs) and Acharyas.
Under the Jammu & Kashmir government’s reservation rules, social castes have four percent reservation in government jobs.
The government has also made certain modifications to the existing social castes by subsisting their names.
According to the notification, potters (Kumahars), shoe repairers (working without the aid of machines), Bangies Khakrobes (Sweepers), barbers, washermen, and Dooms have been respectively replaced by Kumahars, Mochi, Bangies Khakrobes, Hajjam Atrai, Dhobi, and Dooms (excluding SCs).
The social caste list has been redrawn on the recommendation of the Jammu and Kashmir Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Commission, established by the Jammu and Kashmir Government in 2020. The commission was chaired by G. D. Sharma, a former judge of the High Court.
