The Khasi Author Society (KAS) has approached leaders of the BJP, Meghalaya State Unit to push forward their demand for inclusion of the Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
KAS President, Prof. D.R.L. Nonglait, and members of the society met State BJP president Ernest Mawrie and Vice President Dipayan Chakraborty with a plea that they take up the matter with Union Home Minister, Amit Shah during his proposed visit to the State.
Papers related to the demand were also submitted to Mawrie for him to pursue with Shah.
KAS said that Mawrie has assured to take up the matter with the Union Home Minister and other union leaders of the BJP and also admitted that Khasi language deserves recognition.
Khasi language is being spoken by nearly 1.5 million people in the State according to the 2011 census. The inclusion of the language in the Eighth Schedule has been around four decades and the KAS has been in the forefront to push for its recognition.
KAS argued that with inclusion of the Khasi language, there is an advantage for prospective candidates to sit in the Union Public Service Commission exams as well as job opportunities for translators, professors and others. Another aspect is that if the inclusion of the language is considered, Khasis will be entitled for central academy awards, including grants and funds.
