New Delhi: The government has nominated Gulam Ali, a Gujjar leader from Jammu and Kashmir, to Rajya Sabha.
This is perhaps the first time a Gujjar leader from the region has been sent to the Upper House as a nominated member.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-clause (a) of clause (I) of Article 80 of the Constitution of India, read with clause (3) of that article, the President is pleased to nominate Gulam Ali to the Council of States to fill the vacancy caused due to the retirement of one of the nominated members,” a notification issued by the Union Home Ministry said.
Jitendra Singh, who holds several portfolios in the Union government, congratulated the latest entrant to the Rajya Sabha on his nomination.
“Ghulam Ali Khatana ji. Well deserved, long deserved … an opportunity for you to discharge your optimum role in nation building (sic),” Singh said in his tweet.
Ali’s nomination is considered to be significant as, before the abrogation of Article 370, the community had little representation in legislative bodies.
Meanwhile Tribal communities of Jammu and Kashmir thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for nominating tribal community leader Engineer Ghulam Ali Khatana Gujjar to the Parliament of India (Rajya Sabha).
A program was held under the banner of Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation to celebrate the occasion.
The programme was chaired by noted tribal researcher Dr. Javaid Rahi and attended by tribal elders.
Dr, Javaid Rahi stated that this was for the first time since independence that a member of Gujjar community from Jammu and Kashmir was nominated to Parliament of India.
He hoped that Engineer Ghulam Ali Khatana will project the issues of people of Jammu and Kashmir especially Gujjars, Bakerwals , Gaddi , Sippis and other tribes in Parliament of India (Rajya Sabha) for redressal.
