The Meghalaya Linguistic Minority Development Forum (MLMDF) will present a charter of demands to the State government for formation of the Meghalaya Minority Development Board in lines with the ones formed in Assam.
The decision was taken at a general body meeting of the forum held in Shillong on May 29 in the presence of Lok Sabha Member from Silchar Dr. Rajdip Roy and Shiladitya Deb, Chairman Assam Linguistic Minority Development Board.
At the meeting, Roy recounted his long associations with Shillong and stressed on the need for peaceful co-existence of the communities. He further said that while the linguistic minorities have been performing their constitutional duties, their rights shall have to be protected.
He also encouraged the forum to foster goodwill among the majority communities apart from working towards the protection of the minority rights. He further said that it is time for the linguistic minority communities to engage with the government through the constitutional means on the issues of their livelihood, dignity and culture.
Deb pointed out that the population of the linguistic minority communities is in no position to influence the electoral outcomes in the state. However, he asserted that in spite of the small population, people have their rights to live with dignity.
