The govt. has brought a bill for the inclusion of four communities in the list of Scheduled Tribes in J&K UT namely Gadda Brahmin, Koli, Paddri tribe, and Pahari ethnic group. The Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023 is one of the four bills relating to the UT that were introduced in Lok Sabha on 26 July. Gujjar and Bakarwal are akin communities that make up around 10 percent of the J&K population and the largest ST community in the UT. Why in the news? A bill introduced in Lok Sabha has become an anathema to the Gujjar and Bakarwal ST communities fearing a dilution of their tribal rights and their empowerment and therefore was castigated by the former community. Gujjars & Bakarwals have disputed the Pahari claim of being tribal alleging that the latter has no similarities with the tribals and comprise diverse caste group, including upper caste Hindus and Muslims. Background of demand for Pahari ST reservation This is not