Shillong, Mar 2: Former MDC Sofior Rahman has weighed into the matter of non-tribals taking part in Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) election, saying that Garo Hills belongs to all its lawful inhabitants.
The issue of non-tribal and/or non-Garo participation in GHADC polls is a sensitive and recurring one. In the past there was no restriction on voting according to Schedule Tribe status, though there were demands for such a restriction from various quarters of Garo society, either to restrict the franchise to Garos only or at least to Garos and other tribals.
In the last few days, the GHADC has instituted a new requirement that those seeking to run for the upcoming election need to submit an ST certificate at the time of filing their nominations. This has been opposed by Rahman and another former MLA, Esmatur Mominin.
Today, Rahman highlighted the GHADC’s constitutional limits, citing the Sixth Schedule. He stressed that the council must respect all citizens’ democratic rights and that restrictions on political participation need a solid legal basis.
Rahman cited Articles 14, 15, 19, and 326 as safeguards and referred to the region’s diverse communities and their contributions. He reiterated the GHADC’s purpose is to preserve tribal identity within India’s constitutional framework, not promote exclusion. Rahman called for balancing the Sixth Schedule and the Constitution, ensuring justice, equality, and mutual respect for all communities.
“Garo Hills belongs to all its lawful inhabitants who have lived here with dignity and mutual coexistence,” he said.
