The Regional Democratic Alliance (RDA) a coalition of the United Democratic Party (UDP) and Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) has pledged oppose imposition of Hindi language, the one nation concept or any other anti-minority laws and policies.
In its manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls released here today by party president Metbah Lyngdoh, the RDA promised to protect the rights of the religious minorities by opposing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), anti-conversion laws, and to advocate for strong legislation that will punish those who commit crimes against Christians and other religious minorities.
“We shall make a significant effort to evaluate the arrangements for foreign funding to the Christian organizations and other religious minorities. We shall address with utmost seriousness the issues surrounding the exemption of religious institutions from income tax and the appointment of religious minority representatives to the National Minority Commission,” the RDA states.
It also seeks to protect the interest of minorities and steps will be taken to seek exemption of the application of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in the entire State of Meghalaya.
“Beef ban will be vehemently opposed as part of the measures of protecting secular ideology & policy,” the manifesto states.
It also promises to facilitate accordance of Minority Status to the Indigenous/ Native Faiths and creation of the Khasi Cultural Institute under the Management and Control of Seng Khasi and Sein Raij.
RDA said it will advocate for the inclusion of Meghalaya’s freedom fighters in NCERT textbooks and help spread awareness of the history and legacy of Meghalaya.
On external affairs, the RDA has promised to protect Khasi-Pnar and Garo people in Bangladesh and review of the Indo-Nepal Peace Treaty.
On the boundary issue, the RDA promised that it will push for fencing of the international border from the zero line and that due compensation is paid to the people who lost their valuable land to Bangladesh and settlement of the inter-state border with Assam as envisioned in the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution.
The RDA also bats for meaningful peace talks with the HNLC and other militant group(s) of the state and said it will also pursue the efforts for a multifaceted strategy to strengthen and modernise the police force to improve its effectiveness, efficiency, accountability, and capacity to handle contemporary challenges.
It also highlighted the need to impress upon the Central Government, the need for special efforts to counter the inflow of illicit narcotics in the state.
According to the RDA, to boost Tribal Welfare the alliance will push for review of the ST & SC list in the State of Meghalaya, facilitate creation of the Tribal Legislators National Forum and propose a National Policy on Tribal Welfare.
It also commits to move for separate IAS, IPS, and IFS cadres for Meghalaya and increase in their cadre strength in the State of Meghalaya and to tighten anti-corruption laws, implement policies for accountable and responsible governance, and set up processes for conducting social audits of all government projects and programs.
“Opposition to uranium mining in the State of Meghalaya is at the top list because it may affect the environment adversely. To review the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act 2023 which de-reserves the forest for the use of land for non-forest purpose and which provide exception of the Act within 100 km of the International Border for the so-called strategic projects,” the RDA said.
According to the manifesto efforts will be made to strengthen laws for protection of environment & biodiversity, to find workable solutions to global warming and to achieve UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The manifesto also stated that attempts will be made to review the impact of the Central Land Act, Central Forest Act & the MMDR Act etc on the tribal land tenure system and to also ensure that tribal land alienation is addressed appropriately.
The RDA also committed to aggressively pursue with implementation of the inner line permit, inclusion of Khasi & Garo Languages in the Eight Schedule to the Constitution of India and push for making ‘Khasi’ and ‘Garo” as qualifying languages, apart from English and Hindi, for recruitment to Central Government institutions in the state.
The RDA further pledged to fight for the rights of Persons with Disabilities, Ashas, Aganwandi Workers and Mid-day Meal Workers and to prioritise health care services including maternal and reproductive health, access to pre-natal and post-natal care, strengthening support system to combat gender-based violence.
On women welfare, the RDA has promised to fully support the reservation of seats for women in Parliament and State legislative Assemblies and work towards the implementation at the earliest.
