BJP demands special status for Gaddis and Sippis of J&K

Jammu: Alleging that the successive governments for the last six decades had ruled on regional and communal lines, the Bharatiya Janata Party today demanded special status for the Gaddis and Sippis community of Jammu and Kashmir.
“There is about 2.5 lakh population of Gaddis and Sippis living in different areas of Jammu Province including Basholi, Kathua, Udhampur, Rajouri and Poonch but despite falling under Scheduled Tribes category and they are not being treated on par with the Gujjars and Bakerwals of the state,” Nirmal Singh, Senior BJP leader told reporters at a press conference here.
Mr Singh said the Jammu and Kashmir Gujjar Advisory Board is giving all benefits to the members of Gujjar and Bakerwal community as they represent majority in the state, whereas Gaddis and Sippis, being the members of minority community, have always been neglected and deprived of their rights.
The governments are ruling on communal and regional basis in the state, he alleged.
“The Gaddis and Sippis of Jammu Province are not being provided benefits under centrally sponsored schemes, under Tribal Sub Plan and they do not have quota in professional colleges and universities,” the BJP leader rued.
“The government should treat the community on par with the Gujjars and Bakerwals and should include Gaddi language in the Sixth Schedule of Jammu and Kashmir Constitution to give them the representation,” Mr Singh said.