And here is a writer that explains why
Across LoC: Gujjars In Identity Crisis By Zafar Choudhary
By Zafar Choudhary
09 February, 2007
Countercurrents.org
The third largest ethnic group –after Kashmiri speaking Muslims and Dogra Hindus –Gujjars are a unique tribe with their own cultural and linguistic identities. Over the years, even politically they have emerged as significant entity influencing the winning prospects of any party in more than 20 of 87 assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir. Since early 1990s, after their inclusion in Scheduled Tribes –a provision of the Constitution of India which provides for reservation in jobs and other welfare benefits –this tribe has undergone a significant improvement in their socio-economic profile. A struggle is currently on for political reservation as they are seeking reservation of assembly constituencies proportionate to their population.
Since Jammu and Kashmir has been a single geo-political entity before the division of 1947 which separated lakhs of siblings across two sides of Jammu and Kashmir on Indian and Pakistani side, Gujjars too suffered enormously on this account. Ever since the plight of Gujjars in the Pakistan administered Kashmir has been a subject of keen interest. After the Pahari-Punjabi speaking Rajput Muslims, Gujjars are the second larget ethnic group in Pakistan administered Kashmir. With the establishment of communication links between two parts of the formerly undivided state –the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalakote bus services –a reality check on both sides reveals that the Gujjars in Pakistan administered Kashmir are the verge of loosing the distinct identity.
Pir Panchal region is considered the home to the Gujjar Tribe in Jammu and Kashmir state. Although their scattered inhabitations and houses are also existing in Kashmir valley, Jammu, Udhampur, Kathua and Doda district on this side of Line of Control; a sizeable Gujjar population lives on the other side of Line of Control particularly in Mirpur, Bhimber, Kotli, Plandri, Rawala Kote, Bagh and Muzaffrabad district of Pakistan administered Kashmir. Their main concentration, however, is on the slopes and foot hills of Pir Panchal.
In several parts of Jammu and Kashmir, the Gujjars are flourshing with their cultural flavour, traditional heritage and Gojri linguistic atmosphere. Majority of Gujjars migrate from their native villages to upper reaches, Dhoks, Margs and Pastures of Panchal range during summer season, where they relish natural live, tribal system, traditional food and melodious folk songs. This natural atmosphere, location-disadvantages and aloofness from the modern life although made this community economically backward but their unique tribal culture and distinct heritage remain preserved which is rarely available elsewhere in the world.
Due to the happenings of 1947 which divided Jammu and Kashmir into two parts through the line ran cutting across the heart of Pir Panchal region; conflicts with Pakistan during 1965 and 1971; shelling and firing from across LoC and militancy related activities, this tribal community remained the main victim of this unfavourable scenario. About 17,000 families of Gujjar tribes had crossed LoC during this period and migrated to PaK leaving behind their blood relations on this side which made it difficult for their to settle on other side of line. They had very limited source of income for survival. On the other hand the Gujjars already existing in PaK were also economically weaker as compared to the other communities. Therefore this community was not in apposition to walk with the other ethnic groups residing there who have full control on administration, trade and agriculture. No doubt that religious affinity and malice propaganda from the other side had attracted them but in the modern world only religion is not a binding factor. The economic ties and social upliftments are considered the main factor which can lead the communities towards prosperity.
The Gujjars in PaK are not in majority and they are considered economically weaker then the other tribes. Therefore they remain dominated by the other communities and so could not protect their cultural as well as linguistic identity. Now when the doors on LoC have been opened, the dividing families have started pouring in on both the sides. People to people contacts have been established after 7, November 2005 between the dividing families residing Poonch and Rajouri and other side of LoC. The hard facts started coming into fore. Most of the Gujjars who have visited their native places in Poonch and Rajouri have narrated hard realities about the conditions of Gujjars residing on the other side which are the eye opening for the same community living on the other side.
Choudhary Mohammad Sharief a Gujjar and shopkeeper in Trar Khal in PaK and originally native of village Kanuyian in Poonch who visited Poonch through trans-LoC bus service says that the Gujjar identity is on the brink of vanish on other side.
“The symbols of our culture like folk songs, folk music, traditions addresses and age old rituals are missing on the other sides which are well visible in Jammu and Kashmir”, says Sharief. Majority of Gujjars have forgotten the life of Dhoks and Mergs which forms the essential part of their heritage.
Abdul Ghani –a teacher also from Trar Khal and a native of Rajouri –says, “I am immensely pleased to see my relatives working on significant positions in the government and holding important positions in the political parties in Jammu and Kashmir”. However, he says, “I am equally sad when I put this scenario in comparison to the life we are leading in Azad Kashmir”. He adds, “I feel one major factor which has contributed to the welfare of Gujjars here in Jammu and Kashmir is the right to equal opportunities and avenues and further special privileges of reservation under the provisions of Scheduled Tribe”. Such privileges are not available to this community on the other side of LoC.
Another Gujjar passenger who visited Poonch from Trar Khar -Mohammad Rauf is surprised to see the communal harmony, brotherhood and composite culture between Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs in this side but in *** even in Muslim community the Gujjars are not considered at par with the original habitants and landlords. As far as Gojri language is concerned, Rauf says, “no body dares to speak Gojri in Bazaras and public functions in any part of Pakistan administered Kashmir as it is spoken freely on this side. The regular publications of Gojri book like Sheraza, Mahro Adab, Shingra Ki Rani by the Jammu and Kashmir Cultural academy is marvelous contribution towards the mother tongue of Gujjars. Among the non-governmental organisations, the work of Gurjar Desh Charitable Turst, Gojri Anjumans and Gojri programmes from Radio are a serious and sustained contribution towards preservation of this ethnic and linguistic identity in Jammu and Kashmir.
On the other side of LoC, there is no such Government institution or civil society effort for the promotion of Gojri language and the Gujjar tribe. Even the Gojri writers of that side like Rana Fazal Rajourivi have got their books published through J&K Cultural Academy. “Except some individuals efforts no literary work for the development of Gojri language have been done in Azad Kashmir” says Rauf.
Another visitor, Choudhary Mohammad Bashir, who born in Surankote but migrated across LoC in 1965 and now working as District Qazi in Kotli District says that he feels isolated in Pakistan administered Kashmir because Gujjars inhibitions even in speaking their mother tongue and practicing their cultural ethos under pressure from other dominant communities. Unlike in Jammu and Kashmir, Gujjars in Pakistan occupied Kashmir do not use their surname ‘Choudhary’ as it identifies them and consequently earns them hatred of others.
An old Gujjar Master Abdul Latief of Bandi Abasspur in Pakistan administered Kashmir who had come to meet his relatives in the village Kalai of Poonch district is candid enough in saying that the ethnic, cultural and linguistic identity of Gujjars have been completely diluted on other side as he described this as State sponsored hatred against this tribe. “Their economic condition is vulnerable, most of the Gujjars are illiterate and working as land tillers and shepherds”, says Latief.
Apart from the economic disparities, the main problem faced by the Gujjars across LoC is the marriages of their children. On this account, the sufferings of Gujjars are so enormous that they are considered a sort of social outcaste and members of other communities do not enter into wedlock with the Gujjars. This social disparity has some in a serious problem for Gujjars who neither can marry their girls to boys of other communities and nor can get girls for their boys. A majority of the Gujjar visitors from Pakistan administered Kashmir have been making vehement appeals to the government and seeking support from the civil society that they should be allowed to have nuptial relations with their community members in Jammu and Kashmir. If this does not happen, the Gujjar tribe may face extinction in Pakistan administered Kashmir in the near future.
This state of affairs explains the condition of Gujjars in Pakistan administered Kashmir which have come to fore after opening of the trans-LoC links.
Author is Editor-in-Chief, Epilogue monthly current affairs magazine on Jammu and Kashmir and news portal Epilogue He can be reached at editor.epilogue@gmail.com 
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