By A Wanshai Shynret
News of the Khasi Awakening celebration/march has breached its regional confines and become national. It was indeed a moment of pride, for any Khun Hynniewtrep like me and others when a march is being organized to re-assert our identity and concerns. Sociologists will agree that in a world which is continually shrinking and getting globalized, it is no surprise that the question of identity is too gaining immense importance, and rightly so. Therefore the Khasi Awakening march was definitely a proud moment to reassert our identity. It was in principle as your esteemed paper put it, “a day to create awareness among the indigenous people of the dangers facing the society.”
However, the aftermath of what happened thereafter has left a sour taste. While ‘no one’ would counter-argue against a movement to highlight and reassert our ‘Khasi’ identity and the greatness of our polity, the accompanying violence simply shocks our collective conscience. I am all for a march to highlight our causes, concerns and re-assert our identity and the accompanying dangers/concerns. But, as I am doing through this letter, I would also like to lodge my extreme sadness, disgust and disapproval at such a platform being used to harass hapless bystanders. The Shillong and Khasis that we all know of do not propagate nor condone such mindless sectarian violence. In my interaction with the young students, professionals, church members and families here in New Delhi, all echo the same disapproval of the violence that happened in Shillong. My biggest concern is: How can issues of OUR Khasi identity or related issues such as ILP, border, ethnicity, etc., be resolved by assaulting by-standers, tourists, and hapless citizens?
Meghalaya, has thankfully come out, evolved and developed through a difficult phase of the 80’s and early 90’s when it was labelled as an unsafe zone. Currently, it is a state where tourists are thronging and are welcomed to enjoy its myriad beauty and the hospitality of its people. It has given direct and indirect employment to countless people as evident through our own Khasi brothers and sisters being involved in some the best adventure and tourist establishments within our state. The national media, which otherwise ignores our state, has had no choice but to highlight this great aspect that our state has to offer. As a Khasi, I cannot find more reasons to be proud of, than people visiting and ‘praising’ our state for its beauty and the hospitality of its citizens.
However, one moment of indiscretion and violence, as happened during the awakening march, has undone much of the goodwill that ‘ALL’ the Khun Hynniewtrep and other citizens of Meghalaya have worked for and earned. Governmental and non-governmental data has highlighted the fact that tourism, be it our amazing Mawlynnong village or the Root-bridges have become attraction for not only Indians but people all around the globe. Therefore, the question is whether we should be known for one moment of indiscretion and hooliganism? Or should we condemn such acts out-rightly. What about the sweat and hard work that all the citizens of Meghalaya have put in the past 20 years or so? Who will be responsible if this one act of indiscretion and vandalism leads to our image and goodwill being tarnished? Scores of our people will be affected directly; from those manning our wonderful tea/refreshment shops to the lovable indigenous taxi drivers – with boundless knowledge about Khasi culture – to the relentless Khasi youth who is trying to showcase the best that Khasi Hills has to offer.
News now-a-days travels faster that it can ever be anticipated. News of bystanders/shop-owners/tourists, etc being physically assaulted during the march has spread on national media and the social media. Who is responsible for this and who has gained out of it? No one has gained, I innocently presume. But our Meghalaya has lost out in all this, simply due to the negative publicity this one incident has generated.
Our biggest concern should be whether the indiscretion of a few hooligans can be imposed on the society as a whole? NO it cannot. Just because no one raises a voice, can the deplorable action of a few be taken as the opinion of everyone? NO it cannot. We have serious issues otherwise to consider: Rape is occurring everywhere in the state, leading to a disgrace to our society. Who will March for that? People are being killed in rat-hole mines: Who will march for that? Our Khasi brothers and sisters are being harassed due to non resolution of the border issue. Who will march for that? We have moved from a power surplus state to a power deficient state. Who will march for that? There are no employment opportunities for our capable brothers and sisters. Who will march for that? Results of our students are being declared late, causing irreplaceable loss of career choice in all our youth who want to study outside the state. Who will march for that? Our school system needs reforms. Who will march for that? We are surely in need of an ‘awakening’.
(The writer is with University of Delhi)