According to National Secretary of Tribal Foundation, Dr Javaid Rahi ignorance of Gojri language by mobile service providers in costumer care compelled them for initiating legal proceedings against the companies. Besides, he complained that the mobile services in tribal areas are almost defunct.
“And it is our right to seek legal action in the matter as out of 32 lakh mobile and wireless connections in the State, one third of the total consumers are Gojri speaking, but they are ignored in providing quality service and computerized answers in Gojri,” Rahi said.
“Despite number of requests, the companies failed to provide ring tune services in Gojri,” he added.
The companies include Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL), Airtel, Aircel,Vodafone, Relaince, Idea, Spice Communication and TaTa Indicom.
The organization had earlier sent legal notice to these mobile companies asking them to provide quality service in tribal areas and include Gojri in costumer care computerized service within 21 days enabling the tribal population of the State to listen to computerized announcements, answers against their queries in Gojri.
“But they had failed to do so,” Rahi said, adding, “Now we have moved court for justice.”
The cellular companies are providing computerized costumer care services and ring tunes in regional languages like Kashmiri, Dogri and Ladakhi.
Rahi said, “We will go to any extent to sue them in the court of law for their discriminatory attitude towards tribals and seek justice for Gujjars at any cast.”
The lawsuit, filed by TRCF, further charges that the said service providers failed to provide an error free service to costumers of tribal areas and border belts of Poonch Rajouri, Baramulla Kupwara.
“We have also lodged a written complaint to Telecom Regulatory Authorities under Union Ministry of Telecom, Government of India against the companies for failing to provide quality service in tribal areas and the matter is pending with the Ministry,” Rahi said.