SHILLONG:
A delegation of the Khasi Authors Society (KAS) will seek an audience with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the issue of inclusion of the Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution.
“We will urge them for an official bill by the Government of India to recognise Khasi in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution,” KAS president DRL Nonglait said.
Nonglait said that if the Centre takes up an official bill in the parliament it is certain that it will become an Act.
The KAS president said that if the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, which was opposed vehemently by the people of the state in particular and the region in general, could be passed in parliament, then for inclusion of Khasi language also there will be no opposition from any political party.
Nonglait was also thankful to all the political parties who took up the issue in parliament for inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule.
“One party after another from Meghalaya, who had representatives in parliament from time to time took up the issue,” Nonglait said.
He pointed out that up until recently only parliamentarians from the state spoke on the issue but now those from other states are also taking it up.
“What is encouraging is that political parties from other states are demanding inclusion of Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule. This has made the demand grow louder,” Nonglait said.
He was referring to the All-India Trinamool Congress from West Bengal taking up the issue in parliament recently.
He pointed out that (Late) PR Kyndiah, former Rajya Sabha MP Wansuk Syiem, Vincent Pala and WR Kharlukhi from the state had also taken up the issue.
He also said that the KAS and the Khasis should in one voice say that all political parties in Meghalaya and elsewhere if they really want this issue to reach its logical conclusion should not look to score brownie points.
“Their only objective should be to see that the Khasi language be included in the Eighth Schedule,” Nonglait said.
He also urged the 36 MLAs and MPs from Khasi-Jaintia Hills region to support the endeavour.
“But the most important thing is that one should not only speak but also take up a private member’s bill on the issue in parliament. This will be louder,” Nonglait said.
He said that it is the only way to get the Khasi language included in the Eighth Schedule.