The demand for the inclusion of the Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule of Constitution of India reached the national capital, New Delhi through a demonstration organised by the Khasi Author’s Society (KAS) at Jantar Mantar today.
The five-decade old demand was initiated in the early 1970s but has never seen any headway despite rallies and resolutions by the State legislative Assembly.
“This is a call that we should not expect others to fight for us, but the young and the old should do something for the jaitbynriew. This can be achieved by uniting together in our demand to include the Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution,” KAS President DRL Nonglait said.
Attendees at the demonstration adopted a resolution calling for the Union Home Minister to reply to the demand for inclusion of Khasi and for the Union Home Ministry to take steps to introduce a bill in Parliament that would include Khasi in the Eighth Schedule.
The society has argued that Khasi deserves inclusion in the Eighth Schedule because it is an associate language of Meghalaya, which was itself carved out of Assam due to language issues, that it is spoken by more than 14 lakh people in the state (according to the 2011 census), that other tribal languages have been included, that Khasis are a unique culture and language is an intrinsic part of that culture and that is is now included at the university level, the Common University Entrance Test and national boards of education.
Hynñiewtrep Youth Council (HYC) President Robertjune Kharjahrin said the community stands united to secure the demand. “If the Government of India, the Prime Minister, the Home Ministry listens or not, we are united to fight for a single cause, that is, recognition of the Khasi language.”
“Assam secured recognition from the beginning… Manipuri through a hunger protest where a number of them were jailed and Bodo because of militant groups. Do you want a repetition of these from the Khasis, who are on a correct path by choosing to pass a resolution in the State Assembly,” he questioned.
The protest was attended by cabinet minister, Ampareen Lyngdoh and Paul Lyngdoh, former Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh, KHADC Chairman Lamphrang Blah, opposition leader Titos Chyne, former MLAs leaders of KSU, FKJGP, RBYF, HYC, JSU, CORP, HANM and others.
Meanwhile speaking to Highland Post over the phone from New Delhi, KAS general secretary RP Kharshiing said a memorandum and documentation on why the Khasi language should be considered for inclusion in the Eighth Schedule will be submitted to the Home Ministry before deciding on their next step.
He said the documentation contains exhaustive information about Khasi language, literature and culture.
KAS also resolved to urge the Government of India through the Ministry of Home Affairs to initiate necessary steps to introduce an official bill in the Parliament for the inclusion of the Khasi language in the Constitution.
It may be mentioned that demands by various organisations and State governments for the inclusion of 38 languages in the Constitution are pending with the government.
