Hearing on ST Status for Hati Community in Sirmaur Scheduled on September 11 at Himachal High Court
The Himachal Pradesh High Court is scheduled to hear the case on September 11 concerning the notification that grants Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Hati community from the Giripar region in Sirmaur district. The matter will be reviewed by a division bench consisting of Justice Vivek Singh Thakur and Justice Sushil Kukreja.
On Thursday, the Gujjar community voiced their objection to the decision of granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Hati community. Senior counsel representing the Gujjar community informed the court that "Hati" is merely a regional name, not an ethnic identity. He added that while granting ST status, factors like geography, economic and social conditions, religious practices, culture, and traditions of the community are carefully considered, which was allegedly overlooked in this case.
According to a project report prepared by the Tribal Training and Research Institute of Himachal Pradesh, historical data must be taken into account while conferring ST status. However, the central government is said to have ignored this. The counsel argued that the Hati community does not meet the prescribed criteria such as educational and economic backwardness necessary for ST recognition.
The case will be heard again on September 11, where further proceedings will be decided.
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