Shillong, Aug 10: The Hajong Students Youth Voice (HSYV) – Federation Council has expressed concern over attempts to turn questions of indigenous identity and democratic participation into political issues, warning that it could create divisions among communities with shared history.
In a statement, HSYV said both the Garo and Hajong communities are important indigenous communities of the region with deep historical roots and distinct cultural identities. “Respecting the rights of one indigenous tribe should never require the exclusion, disrespect or questioning of another indigenous tribe,” the group said.
Questioning why the political participation of a smaller indigenous community should become a matter of exclusion, HSYV stated that “democracy cannot be based only on numbers.”
The group said the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) is an important tribal institution meant to protect indigenous interests, culture and welfare, “not to create divisions between indigenous communities.”
HSYV stressed that political agendas should not be allowed to weaken relations between indigenous tribes. “Garo and Hajong should not be turned into political enemies,” it added.
The council clarified it does not oppose the rights of the Garo people, but asserted that the rights, identity and dignity of Hajongs and other indigenous communities must also be respected.
“Let politics not divide indigenous tribes. Let democracy not discriminate against minorities. Let indigenous unity remain stronger than political interests,” the statement said.
HSYV described it as “a statement against discrimination and division” and “a call for fairness, equality and indigenous unity,” adding that “Indigenous unity must be above political agenda.”
