Pahari people (Kashmir)

Pahari is a group of Indo-European languages spoken in the Himalayas, divided into Eastern Pahari (Nepali) Central Pahari and Western Pahari consisting of a number of dialects/ languages [17] In Jammu and Kashmiri Pahari was listed as regional language in the sixth schedule of Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir-(the erstwhile state). [18][19] Pahari is being promoted by the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages , since 1978. [20][21]

The Pahari varieties spoken in the mountainous parts of the Jammu region include Bhadarwahi, Sarazi, Bhalesi, Padri Gujari language and Gaddi practice distinct Pahari Culture and are more closely related to the Pahari languages spoken in Himachal Pradesh.[22] x.[23][24]

The other claimants of Pahari are Pahari-Pothwari speakers, which is a transitional dialect between Standard Punjabi and Lahnda varieties like Hindko.[25] This group is widely spoken in Pakistani territory of Azad Kashmir.[26] In Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, Pahari, also known under various local names such as Poonchi or Chibhali, is spoken by approximately 1 million people[27] concentrated in the region between the Jhelum and Chenab rivers: most significantly in the districts of Poonch and Rajouri, to a lesser extent in neighbouring Baramulla and Kupwara, as a result of the influx of refugees during the Partition of 1947 – scattered throughout the rest of Jammu and Kashmir.[28][29][30] A Western Pahari Corridor from majorly Shimla to Murree has also been proposed under the Aman ki Asha initiative to link the similar Western Pahari language-based areas of Himachal Pradesh to Jammu Kashmir and beyond.

Close to 747,000 people in the United Kingdom also associate themselves with the Pahari-Pothwari and Mirpuri are spoken mother tongue in the UK behind English. The community popularly calls themselves Pahari-Pothwari and Mirpuri and is a diaspora community that migrated from Mirpur, Azad Kashmir in the 1960s after the creation of the Mangla Dam which caused the displacement of close to 110,000 people during that time.[31]

In Jammu and Kashmir, Pahari Speaking People (PSP) are demanding Scheduled Tribe quota reservation for them but the Gujjars of Jammu and Kashmir have already declared ST in 1991 in J&K, are opposing grant of tribal status to PSP merely on the basis of Language. [32] Gujjars are of the view that such a move will adversely affect the development of genuine tribes, particularly the Gujjars ,Bakerwals. The demand for grant of ST status – by Pahari-speaking people is based on the sole premises of the linguistic identity as ‘Pahari Speakers’and they are not identified as a particular tribal identity and mere language does not become any criteria for recognition as a tribe. [33] The Gujjars stating that Pahari Speaking People are not Socially-Economically backward class and they are already enjoying 4% reservation under Actual Control Line habitat, 10% under RBA, 4% under Other Social Castes, 10% under Economically Weaker Section, 4% under Pahari Speaking besides 48% General Catagory and now they are trying to get the share in 10% granted to Gujjars under ST.[34][35][36][37]

The Paharis have received some institutional support – for example, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir's State Advisory Board for the development of Pahari Speaking People has supported Pahari people's education since 1989.[38][39] Nevertheless, core demands – like that for a Scheduled Tribe status and the associated affirmative action benefits – were not met. In 1989,  the Government of Jammu and Kashmir recommended to the Union Government of India that the Paharis of Kashmir should be granted such status,[40][41] and this recommendation was reiterated in 1994 by the governor of Jammu and Kashmir and the chief ministers of the state.[42][43]

Gujjars who already listed under   Scheduled Tribes status in Jammu and Kashmir since 1991 are opposing grant of ST and other similar benefits to the Paharis with the argument that such a step will dilute the entire Scheduled Tribe status.[44][45]

In April 2020, the government of Jammu and Kashmir granted to "Pahari-speaking people" four percent reservation for direct recruitment and admission and distribution of seats in professional institutions.[46] This has sparked disagreements between representatives of the two unrelated "Pahari" communities – those of eastern Kashmir and those of mountains of western Jammu – as to which group of the two constitutes the "genuine Paharis" with a more disadvantaged status, and therefore stronger claim to receiving the benefits of the reservation policy.[47][48]

• Map of Western Pahari languages from Grierson's early 20th-century Linguistic Survey of India

• Western Pahari
• Lahnda (Western Punjabi)
• Mirpuris
• Hindkowans
• Punjabis