Shillong, Sep 20: The District Selection Committee (DSC) language provision has triggered discontent among certain Garo residents in Khasi Hills, with community bodies on Saturday demanding that both Garo and Khasi be offered as options for candidates in the region.
More than 2,000 people gathered at Sildubi Mini Playground at Mallangkona in West Khasi Hills to press for the demand. The meeting was organised by several local groups.
At the centre of the protest is the January 2026 government memorandum for DSC recruitment which mandates a Khasi qualifying paper in Khasi-Jaintia Hills and a Garo paper in Garo Hills.
Representatives said the order does not account for the sizable Garo population settled for generations in parts of Khasi Hills, including Mallangkona border areas.
“We are not against Khasi. But making it compulsory here puts our youth at a disadvantage. Many can speak Khasi but cannot read and write it properly,” said MADO general secretary Manuel Ch Marak.
MADO president John Sangma said the matter was earlier raised with the Chief Minister, both Deputy Chief Ministers and the Governor, but the concerns remained even after assurances.
The gathering also flagged the wider impact on language and local governance, seeking appointment of Garo headmen in Garo-dominated villages of Khasi Hills and posting of Garo language teachers in schools where Garo is taught.
United A’chik Youth Federation secretary Zimichrist G Marak said they want a peaceful solution and will hold similar meetings across Khasi Hills and meet legislators to build support.
The organisations said they will wait for a short period for the government to review the provision before deciding the next course of action.
