Editor,
Apropos the news item: “JNF for Halting Survey of Census 2011” (ST Jan 31 2012), it may be clarified that the Khasi, Jaintia, Synteng, Pnar, Bhoi, War and Lyngngam (U Paid Khasi baiar) have been considered as one and the same Scheduled Tribe right from 1950 when they were scheduled by the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950. At present, they are placed at Serial No. 7 of the list of the Scheduled Tribes of Meghalaya and the other “Synteng” at Serial No. 17. The population of the Scheduled Tribes in each Census has been published serial number-wise and for that reason the population of Synteng at Serial No. 17 is shown separately. It is still not known yet whether the Synteng at Serial No. 17 is the same Synteng at Serial No. 7 whose population has been included with that of the Khasi, Jaintia, Pnar, Bhoi, War and Lyngngam at Serial No. 7. If the JNF think that the above communities are not one and the same tribe, they can approach the appropriate authority to list them separately like the Synteng at Serial No. 17, so that their individual population will be shown separately in the 2021 Census. For the information of the JNF, given below is the population in Meghalaya who had returned Khasi, Pnar/Synteng and War as their mother tongues in the 1991 Census: Khasi – 670,472, Pnar/Synteng – 167,790 and War – 26,053.
Yours etc.,
A Pyrtuh,
Shillong – 14
Unbecoming remarks
Editor,
I am absolutely shocked to have been present at a function where the Chief Guest made some snide comments. In the recent Bengalee Food Festival at Tura Parade ground on the occasion of “Makar Sankranti” on 31st Jan 2012, the Chief guest was in an inebriated condition and made some hurtful, sarcastic communal jokes on the podium that goes, “Where there is Nepali there is Wine shop, where there is Punjabi there is motor parts shop, where there is Marwari there is grocery shop…. where there are two Bengalis there is politics and three political parties …” I didn’t quite follow the jokes to have found it amusing or hilarious; rather it disgusted me. As a sexagenarian and veteran politician some degree of respect was expected from him for all communities. I as a non tribal had voted for him during the last many elections but after the speech I have nothing but hatred for him. The words uttered that day have hurt me, I believe that any one who earns a living with honesty and sincerity no matter what job he does is way better than “Robbery” .
Yours etc.,
Sanjay Singh,
Via email
Time for social reform
Editor,
I thank Subhadeep Bhattacharjee for reacting to the letters regarding priesthood. That the letters have caught the attention of some people show that the issue is weighty. Bhattacharjee’s letter reflects his anguish and a deep- seated sense of insecurity that Brahmins may lose their unique identity. But what message does he intend to give through his letter. On the one hand he projects his broad mindedness by stating that there are no hard laws to prevent anyone from becoming a priest but on the other hand he contradicts himself by concluding that Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Swami Vivekanda are not born everyday. This clearly reflects that he is against reforms. I was taken by surprise when he used the sentence “trying to crucify the entire Brahmin community.” Nowhere was the Brahmin community castigated. Was any letter written against Brahminism? If the effort to abolish the caste system tantamount to crucifying the Brahmin community, then Bhattacharjee has misunderstood the intent of my letters and those of other writers.
Regarding deviating from the issue concerning the moral character of a particular priest to right to priesthood, was this a wrong initiative? Does Bhattacharjee feel that the archaic caste system which divides people should still be practiced in today’s world? His negative reaction to the issue has now proved that there will indeed be a transformation since the first symptom of success for a reform is a resistance from an orthodox person like him.
I also understand who Bhattacharjee is referring to when he said ‘it is easy to sit somewhere and write.’ I accept your invitation to take up the responsibility. I am very much a Shillongite and a valid voter of Shillong. I promise to not only encourage but also engage some non-Brahmins to this practice. This letter is not intended to demean the Brahmin community or make any personal attacks. I hold them in high esteem. All I am asking for is a similar place for other castes too. Can we seriously ponder on this? Shillong is a place where discrimination is not felt as much as in other states in North and South India and we can play a vital role in such a reformation.
Yours etc.,
Partha Protim Roy
Kolkata 700084