Arts and Culture Minister Paul Lyngdoh has said that the languages used to compose the State Anthem were included as they are the official languages of the state as per the Meghalaya State Language Act 2005.
Ever since the Meghalaya State Anthem was released to mark 52 years of statehood. The anthem was sung in Khasi, Garo and English.
However, many people have questioned the non inclusion of Pnar language in the anthem and that the inclusion of English was disrespect to the indigenous psyche.
Lyngdoh said that English is the official language of the state and Khasi and Garo as associated official languages. He said the government has gone by the Act and not individual opinions.
Meanwhile, the JSU in a letter to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said the non-inclusion of Pnar in the anthem is an “act of discrimination” and said the government should make changes.
The Jaintia National Council in a press release said the anthem is incomplete without the Pnar language when Meghalaya is home to the three major tribes with rich history and culture.
