Meghalaya: Jaintia groups renew demand for official language status
By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: Demand for official recognition of the Jaintia language has resurfaced in the Jaintia Hills soon after the Meghalaya government granted official language status to Khasi and Garo along with English.
Local organisations are now urging the state government to extend similar recognition to the Jaintia language, along with the A-B Jaintia (Pnar) phonetic script.
The renewed push comes amid ongoing discussions on language identity in the state.
Opinions remain divided among scholars and community members. While some view Khasi and Jaintia as part of a broader shared linguistic group, others argue that Jaintia has distinct features that justify separate recognition and institutional support.
In a joint initiative, the Jaintia National Council (JNC) and the Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU) have decided to intensify efforts to include the Jaintia language under the Meghalaya State Language Act.
They have also sought government approval for the A-B Jaintia phonetic script.
The decision followed a meeting in Jowai attended by academics, writers, teachers, professors, literary figures, senior citizens and representatives of both organisations. The discussion focused on preserving the language and securing formal recognition.
The renewed campaign comes after the state government earlier this year granted official status to Khasi and Garo under the Meghalaya Official Languages Ordinance, 2026.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma had then announced that both languages would be used in official work alongside English, with necessary legal measures to support the decision.
Speaking after the meeting, JNC president Sambormi Lyngdoh said participants had agreed to step up efforts for recognition of the Jaintia language and its phonetic system.
The A-B Jaintia script had earlier been approved through a resolution of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council during its 2021 budget session and was later notified in the Meghalaya Gazette.