The Meghalaya Pradesh Mahila Congress has called for preservation of the matrilineal system by upholding the customary norm of children taking the mother’s surname.
Mahila Congress president Joplyn S. Shylla in a statement said that those who adopt father’s surname should not be considered as Khasis. “We assert that individuals who choose to adopt the father’s surname should not be classified as Khasis,” Shylla said.
The Mahila Congress advocated for the preservation of the matrilineal system of the Khasi and Jaintia tribes, which according to it is the cornerstone of their unique identity and culture.
“The organisation firmly believes that the traditional practice of children taking the mother’s surname must be upheld to safeguard the essence of Khasi and Jaintia traditions”, Shylla said.
This step is essential to maintain the integrity of the tribe’s customs and to ensure the continuity of its cultural heritage”, she said.
The Congress has called upon the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council and relevant authorities to take necessary steps to enforce the principle and protect the traditions of the Khasi community.
