Editor,
Through your esteemed paper I would like to voice my opinion on the letter sent by Jerome to your editorial (why the anti KSU stance?). Firstly I congratulate Shillong Times for publishing opinions both from KSU and their supporters as well as those who are opposed to KSU’s means and ways. I was pleased to know the idea behind Khasi awakening from Jerome even though the condemnation of violence was a one liner. Awakening day and parades associated with it are a redemption of cultural ethos and an orchestrated way of expressing ethnic aspirations. Khasis have a right to perform such gustoes. After all, this is one community that establishes women at the helm of all its affairs when the rest of India is still pathetically ailing with unimaginable crimes against women. Being a former member of KSU, any news about this student body interests me. I can correlate the views expressed by Jerome, but what is more encouraging is the participation of local Khasis in expressing disagreements over the KSU activities. I had joined the KSU during the tumultuous years in the 1980s when Bull Lyngdoh held center stage. I grew up in the vicinity of Malki hills with vast expanse of greenery, a meandering stream passing by and the football field that consumed all our winter holidays. At that point of time, I felt very passionately about our Khasi land, its beauty, culture and heritage . Our leaders spoke against non tribals, the events of 1947 and 1971 and knee jerking episodes of Tripura and how Assam bled. I could not resist the idea of an independent Khasi land or at least a non tribal free Meghalaya. In the process I witnessed Shillong burning. In a few years non tribal families with whom I grew up and played vanished. I cannot forget how stoically I watched my childhood friend leave NE forever with a worn out football boot as a parting gift. Many of these families were part and parcel of Shillong culture. In fact some of them had generations living here even before 1947. However, at that point of time, my vision of a foreigner was anyone who was not a NE person.
In 1987 when KSU closed down all schools and colleges for the whole academic year, I was an active participant to enforce the strike. It used to be fun, intimidating students and then shouting slogans all day and finally ending the moments by partying with food and drinks. This continued till one morning when my mother questioned my goal and ambition in life. She challenged me if I can top the ICSE merit list from St Edmund’s. Her reasoning was simple – as a student, why don’t I concentrate on my studies and empower myself with enough knowledge to differentiate what is good or bad. However not till an assault by a KSU leader on the principal of St Edmund’s College , was my consciousness finally awakened from its deep and dark slumber. I parted ways with KSU. I was convinced that education would empower me with more free will and wise judgment. As an engineering student in NIT my tribal quota status was mocked by fellow classmates and professors alike. Initially I felt humiliated and at one point almost got into a “I hate India” syndrome but then the only resolution I found was by getting grades that surpassed expectations and later on representing my college in various computer related events. I strongly believe we Khasis have enough capabilities to compete and survive through merit, competition and fair measures rather than withdraw to primitive means of bows and arrows at the slightest provocation. Since then I have never looked back. And this is not just my story, I am proud of many young Khasis like Bremley Lyngdoh who have gone to the extent of being youth ambassador at UN or folks from Lajong Club, Shillong Choir group and legends like Lou Majaw . To me these are the true elements of Khasi awakening. Jerome should understand why some of us Khasis are unhappy with the KSU. Racism of any kind to the extent of abusing tourists is the most dastardly act KSU has ever indulged in, that too in the name of Khasi awakening. There is no merit left in our traditional approach to tackle influx and migration issues by unnecessarily harassing and maligning those who mean absolutely no harm to us. The banner which KSU has now almost made it its symbol “Indians by accident” is way too outdated and a misfit to the modern Khasi psyche. I am sure there are hundreds of Khasis who are either studying or working in Indian metro cities. Many Khasi families I know are settled in Bangalore, Delhi, Pune and Mumbai. Ask them and you would know how miserable we feel when social websites hosting these proud artefacts keep pouring in with comments from mainland Indians questioning Central Government’s grants and reservation policies towards us when our economic contribution to the rest of India is way too low. Would we be a great nation by segregating from India? Would China cajole us? Or would an independent NE be safe with Bangladesh around ? Think again. I for one completely agree that being a part of India even if by accident was worth it. Maybe I will not be a chauvinist on Indian patriotism and might still find many Indian cultures alien but nevertheless I definitely take pride in being an Indian and acknowledge all the good the country has brought for me and my family. Jerome forgets that it has become KSU’s second nature to promote violence and indulge in bullying while always making this hypocritical stance of not being involved in any of these. KSU is lucky that there is no commission set against them for history of rioting , racial profiling, vandalism and much more which in any sane developed country would be accounted as crimes, radicalism or worse internal terrorism. I also fail to understand why a students’ organization is overpopulated with dropouts or citizens who have crossed the age limit of formal education. It’s a worry if KSU becomes nothing more but a political wing like Left affiliated SFI or like Maharashtra’s MNS where local Maharashtrians are brainwashed that all their land and jobs are being taken away by “outsiders.” Lastly, being a former KSU, my heart will always go out for the cause and issues around which KSU was formed. I deeply appreciate some of the activities that KSU has engaged in the past which were constructive and fruitful to the society. However KSU has to work much harder now and take all measures to stem out racism, hypocrisy and violence from its blood, if it really feels and understands “Khasi by blood”
Name withheld on request
(Camp: New York)