Rally to strengthen Khasi

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, MAY 5: Hundreds of people from all walks of life today took out a rally – “Pyneh Rngiew” or “Strengthening the Aura” of the Khasi Language, which is yet to be included in the 8th Schedule by the Centre even after nearly 30 years.

The streets echoed by the beating of the Khasi traditional drums known as ‘Ka Bom’ during the rally, which started from Jaiaw Shyiap and culminated at Madan Students, Jaiaw, here on Friday.

The Pyneh Rngiew rally organized by the Khasi Author Society (KAS), which is one of organizations spearheading the demand, was also participated by eminent writers, personalities, politicians and activists of different NGOs besides students.

Later while speaking at the gathering, former KAS president BR Kharlukhi said there is need to further give the Khasi Language its rightful place by including it in the Eight Schedule to the Constitution of India.

“The official committee constituted by the state government of which I and others are members has already submitted its report to the state government,” he said.

Pointing out that one of the recommendations was the need to amend the Constitution, he said that the 3 Members of Parliament of the state are requested to take up with the Centre on the urgency to preserve the Khasi language.

Stating that a language is a divine gift, Kharlukhi said at present there are around 10.91 lakh people in Meghalaya who are Khasi speaking population.

Earlier during the inauguration of the rally, Syiem of Hima Nongstoin P Syiem while speaking as the chief guest said any community which attempts to disown its own mother tongue loses its own identity.

“Language is a powerful medium which can unite the people of a community,” he said.

Giving a brief history on how the demand for recognition of the Khasi language began in the state, Member of the Sahitya Akademi, Sylvanus Lamare said the demand first started way back in 1970s.

He said that a special committee was also constituted by the Sahitya Akademi on the matter but the demand stopped in 1986. Again in 1995, the demand was revived by Hispreaching Son Shylla in the state Assembly.

“It was only in 2005 the demand for recognizing Khasi as an official language got the approval of the Governor but unfortunately in same year Garo language was also given recognition with the community having to make any demand,” he said.

He also recalled that in the year 1991, the former Lok Sabha MP Peter G Marbaniang while extending support to the demand for inclusion of Nepali and Manipuri Languages had also demanded inclusion of Khasi language in the Eight Schedule.

Former MP PR Kyndiah in 2003 also made a similar demand in the Parliament while supporting the demand for inclusion of Bodo language in the Eight Schedule.

Lamare, also principal of the St Edmunds’ College, however lamented that while altogether 14 out of 33 languages were included in the Eight Schedule, Khasi language is still being left out.

According to him, a special committee was also constituted by Centre to examine on the matter however it has failed to submit its report till today.

Highlighting on the main reasons contributing to the delay in ensuring that Khasi language is included in the Eight Schedule, Lamare said this is because that Khasi is yet to be a medium of instruction at the school level from classes 1 to 12.

“We are yet to have school textbooks like Science and Mathematics being written in Khasi,” he said while adding this is also one of the main factors that led to increased drop out among the youths in the state.

According to him, most of the students who are taking up science streams in college are mostly from rural areas and the reason for this is  because their teachers are teaching subjects like Science and Maths in local language.

He however lamented that there has been no demand coming from others quarters in the past decades except the KAS, which however do not get the support from the NGOs.

Further pointing out the various benefits if Khasi language is given its due recognition, the Sahitya Akademi member said the public representatives including MPs and MLAs will even get to take oath in Khasi in both Parliament and the Assembly respectively.

Apart from allowing the use of Khasi in government offices, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will also have to conduct the various examinations in Khasi and it will also be a medium of instruction in the schools, he said.

Appealing to all concerned to support the demand for inclusion of Khasi language in the Eight Schedule, Lamare while quoting the words of Father H Elias said, “When the language lives the community lives and a community which speaks and read in its own mother tongue will never vanish.”