SHIMLA: According Schedule Tribe Status to the Hatti community of Trans-Giri region of Sirmaur district by the Central Cabinet that met in New Delhi today under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narender Modi has got a mixed response in the poll bound state of Himachal Pradesh today.
While for the Jai Ram Thakur government would generate sympathy of the Hatti community, which has over 1.60 lakh population ahead of the coming state assembly elections, the various Tribal groups have reacted to the move with a pinch of salt.
For the BJP it means its much-trumpeted “Modi Hai to Mumkim Hai” slogan is as practical as it comes as the Hatti has been demanding the ST status for the last 50 years.
The social media is on the burn with the tribal groups terming the decision as an “attack on the tribal community of India”.
The Hatti community on no ground deserve the ST status as the latter does on testify to the parameters of ST, commented Hans Raj Meena, a tribal leader on social media.
BJ has for the sake of getting votebank of one caste Hatti encroaching on the rights of STs like Gujars and Gaddhis and others, Meena claimed on social media.
The Modi government has accorded ST status to the Swarn Jatis in five different states that has an attack on the rights of the original natives. They have no connection whatsoever with the tribals of India, Meena claimed.
In Reaction to the decision, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has thanked Prime Minister saying that Central Government has fulfilled a long pending demand of the people of Trans Giri area as the people of neighboring State Uttrakhand, with almost identical culture and topographic conditions has the same status.
He said this historic decision would benefit the population of over 1.60 lakh of Sirmaur district.
Chief Minister said this decision would also go a long way in preserving the rich culture and traditions of the people of the area and accelerate the pace of development in the area.
He said the present State Government since its coming to power in the State has pursued the issue with the Central leadership.
