Opposition by pressure groups to the new Chief Executive Member of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), Rakesh A Sangma, is not based on his mixed parentage per se but because his family does not, until recently at least, follow tribal customary norms.
This was stated today by a conglomeration of pressure groups from Garo Hills who have vehemently opposed Rakesh’s assumption of the CEM’s chair.
Garo Hills had last week endured a two-day protest led by these pressure groups against Rakesh’s election to CEM, which led to many shops and other establishments being shut.
According to the pressure groups, Rakesh was formerly known as Rakesh Newar Sangma and only recently adopted the ‘A’ for A’gitok after filing an affidavit.
“We suspect that it was politically conducive for him to identify as a bonafide Garo to contest the [GHADC] election, as the seat from which he contested (Babelapara) has a tribal majority,” the statement said.
The groups noted that Rakesh’s mother is a member of the A’gitok clan and he thus could identify as an A’gitok according to the customs of the matrilineal Garo community. However, they added, “the fact that none of the family members … have ever practised the matrilineal culture of the Garo society cannot be ignored.”
The ways that Rakesh has failed in this, according to the press release, include not living in his wife’s house. He, and his family members, have instead followed customs more in line with the Nepali culture of Rakesh’s father, they added.
“We are pointing out these facts not to malign him or his family members. However, these facts are important to be mentioned to understand our opposition to him being appointed as the CEM of the GHADC,” the statement went on.
All this is relevant, according to the outfits, because, as CEM, Rakesh will be able to exercise judicial power in traditional civil cases that could involve sensitive issues in regards to traditional institutions and land.
Nokmas are appointed by the CEM and disputes between clans will be adjudicated by him.
“These mentioned judicial powers of the CEM are of great significance for the preservation of the identity of the Garos and preservation of the culture of the Garo society as A’kings and Nokmas are pivotal in the determination of the Garo identity. How can a person who never lived his life following Garo culture and tradition give his verdict on such sensitive issues?” the groups asked.
In order to push Rakesh, who was legally elected to the role, to resign, the pressure groups have decided to extend their “civil disobedience” campaign and escalate it once current students’ exams are finished with.
