Meghalaya CM: 8 appeals made to MHA for recognition of Khasi & Garo languages
SHILLONG: The Meghalaya government is actively advocating for the immediate inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages in the eighth schedule of the constitution of India.
This was stated by Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma while addressing the state’s assembly on Monday (February 19).
“It is an ongoing effort and are consistently pursuing the matter with the government of India,” Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma said.
He was responding to a query posed by Heavingstone Kharpran, an opposition VPP legislator from Mawryngkneng constituency in Meghalaya.
The Meghalaya CM highlighted that the resolution for the inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages was adopted in 2018.
“We have sent approximately eight letters to the government of India regarding this matter,” Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma said.
He added that the Centre has stated in its response that there is no set criterion for the inclusion of a language in the eighth schedule of the constitution of India.
The Meghalaya chief minister highlighted that despite continuous efforts and follow-ups by the state government, there has been a lack of clarification or details from the Centre regarding the delay in including the Khasi and Garo languages in the eighth schedule to the constitution of India.
He emphasized that the MDA-1 government had taken a significant step by passing a resolution in December 2018, early in their term, demonstrating “strong commitment to the cause”.
The Meghalaya CM expressed confidence that the resolute commitment of the House will compel the MHA to make a decision on the inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages.
Additionally, he acknowledged that both Khasi and Garo languages are among the 38 languages awaiting consideration by the MHA.
When questioned about the delay possibly being due to the simultaneous submission of proposals for both languages, he cited past instances where only one language was recognized despite multiple proposals being submitted together.
He urged the government to review the approach if submitting two languages simultaneously poses a challenge, or else continue pursuing the matter with the Centre.