There are Khasis who “spread falsehoods” about the Khasi Students Union (KSU) and its leaders only to satisfy outsiders, the pressure group’s general secretary said here today.
He was speaking on the 29th death anniversary of the KSU’s former president, Bull Lyngdoh, who led the organisation from 1983 to 1990 when communal troubles and militancy plagued Meghalaya.
Speaking on the occasion, Donald Thabah denied that the KSU is racist, saying that it takes its mission to protect the Khasi society seriously because its population is miniscule.
However, the KSU is distressed that it faces opposition not only from non-indigenes but also some Khasis.
“Their objective in doing so is not that they are concerned about the indigenous people of the state but their ulterior motive to do so is to satisfy the outsiders who have bought them with money,” Thabah said.
He also said that the population of the indigenous Khasis numbers only around 15 lakhs and they are surrounded by communities that are much larger. Unless locals have ways to limit migration of outsiders, the Khasis could become swamped and lose their culture as well as economic and political powers in their homeland.
“It is for that reason we are in the KSU. Even if we are a minority, our spirit burns to fight for the indigenous people and its land,” Thabah said.
