Raphael Warjri

New Delhi, Sep 30: The struggle for recognition of the Khasi language in the Eight Schedule to the Constitution of India was further extended to the national capital, New Delhi. A host of eminent writers, authors and legislators of the Khasi community participated in the National Seminar on the topic of Khasi Language, Literature and Culture, with active interaction by the participants to impress upon the need for official recognition of the Khasi language. The seminar was graced by Mr.  Vincent H Pala, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha from Shillong Parliamentary Constituency. The chief guest stated that the Khasi language is spoken by the majority in Meghalaya it should get its due recognition in the Constitution. If needed, the Union government can bring amendments and include Khasi language, as done in the case of Bodo and Santhali, he added. As the only MP from the Khasi community in the Lok Sabha, Vincent H Pala had raised the matter of recognition of the language several times in Parliament, including his predecessors. He even moved a private members’ bill on the floor of the Lok Sabha. But in the absence of a majority, the same could not be adopted.

Ms. Ampareen Lyngdoh, cabinet minister and senior NPP leader, said the state government has submitted  all relevant papers along with the State Assembly Resolution adopted in November 2018 to the Central Government, urging the Centre to take steps for inclusion of Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule. She also informed that recently, a group of ministers from the state had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi  and demanded inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

The event was organised by the Khasi Authors’ Society in collaboration with HynniewTrep Delhi Association on “Khasi Language literature and Culture”. The president of Khasi Authors’ Society, Prof D. R. L. Nonglait said that the fight for inclusion of the Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule is almost as old as the creation of the state, which was done on Linguistic lines.
But even after more than 50 years, the same is not done which the Khasi Authors’ Society is compelled to garner support of pressure groups from the State to rally to Delhi in support of its demand. The Khasi Authors’ Society has prepared documentation on the Khasi language, culture, art and folklore to reinforce its genuine demand.
Although there are hundreds of languages spoken across the country, the Eighth Schedule recognises a total of 22 languages as official languages. The Khasi language is one of the most advanced language among tribal languages with tremendous progress in various aspects of literature and academic institutions.
The Khasi Authors’ Society’s delegation had earlier submitted a memorandum which reflected the features and status of Khasi language and requested the Centre to take necessary steps to include the Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule. Then it was assured that the views and opinions of the Central Institute of Indian Language (CIIL) and the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) would be taken into consideration.
Khasi Authors’ Society feels there should be no dearth of subjects in the UPSC examinations as there are more than 50 colleges in Meghalaya which offer Khasi as an Honours subject up to degree and postgraduate levels. The Department of Khasi at the North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong also offers Khasi as a subject up to the PhD level.
The national seminar was presided over by Padmashree, Prof B War and R. P. Warjri Convenor of HTDA, proposed the welcome address to the dignitaries and guests. The Chairman of Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council, Lamphrang Blah also spoke on the occasion, while Mr Paul Lyngdoh, Minister of Arts and Culture, reiterated his demand based on concrete arguments that was on meritorious grounds, which also fulfilled the criteria of the Central Government.