BJP to raise Gaddi sub-castes issue at national level

BJP Scheduled Tribe (ST) Morcha national president Dr Manna Lal Rawat on Wednesday said the party would raise the long-pending demand to include six Gaddi sub-castes under the Gaddi identity at higher levels. He said this after arriving at Kangra airport, ahead of the ST Morcha state working committee meeting in Shahpur.

Rawat said the meeting would discuss the issue, along with tribal development, employment, migration, and concerns related to government employees. He accused the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh of neglecting tribal communities and said several issues concerning them had emerged since 2022.

He said the BJP followed an inclusive approach toward tribal communities and would work to resolve long-pending demands. Referring to an example from Uttarakhand, where a large community was granted tribal identity, Rawat said the meeting would also discuss similar issues linked to hill lifestyles and tribal communities in Himachal Pradesh.

The meeting will also review the implementation of Central government schemes in tribal areas and preparations for Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, observed on the birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Bhagwan Birsa Munda.

Rawat said the Narendra Modi-led Central government was committed to tribal welfare and was following a saturation approach to ensure eligible beneficiaries received the benefits of development schemes. He added that preserving tribal culture, traditions, local heroes and traditional knowledge remained a priority for the BJP.

On infrastructure development, Rawat said projects such as the Atal Tunnel and various Central government schemes have created new development and employment opportunities in Himachal Pradesh.

He said the BJP aimed to strengthen tribal communities’ participation in nation-building under the principle of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.