The division of Meghalaya into separate states for the Khasi-Jaiñtia and Garo communities will sort out any problem with the existing reservation policy of the state, the youth wing of the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) said today.
As such, the party would rather focus on its core demand – for the dissolution of Meghalaya – rather than getting involved in calls for a revision of the reservation policy.
“We will keep pushing this demand for creation of our own Khasi-Jaiñtia state and once the demand is met then the demand to change the reservation policy will automatically be solved,” Sandondor Ryntathiang, president of the HSPDP youth wing told reporters today.
Demands for amendments to the reservation policy have made the news recently as the issue has been raised by North Shillong MLA Adelbert Nongrum. A student, Bari Pyngrope, is also aiming to make it a non-political, common man-driven issue. Any such change that reduces the share for Garos has been opposed by at least one Garo pressure group, the A’chik Holistic Awakening Movement.
Ryntathiang said that the HSPDP will use all constitutional means and measures to see that its demand sees the light of the day.
“We will continue to work together with our Garo friends who are also seeking a separate Garoland and we would like to have a mutual understanding,” he maintained. The HSPDP last year struck an agreement with the Garo Hills State Movement Committee to work together towards the division of Meghalaya.
In this vein, the party will hold an essay competition on the topic, ‘Hato donkam mo ban ioh lakajong ka Khasi-Jaiñtia State?’ (Do we need a separate Khasi-Jaiñtia state?).
This essay competition will help in getting the views and suggestions of the student community, the HSPDP hopes.
The deadline for submission of essays is April 30. Cash prizes are on offer for the top entries.
