Editor,
Philip Marwein in his letter about the ILP talked about not wasting our time engaging in academic debates but instead we should be engaged in action. However, the content of his letter reveals exactly the need for a very serious debate before engaging in some rash action. He claims that the population of Meghalaya is 32 lakhs and the tribal population is only about 17 lakhs. These are absolutely wrong figures that he is providing and I am perplexed as to the source of this information. Demographic data are provided by the Census of India and according to its report the population of Meghalaya was 2318822 persons (23 lakhs) in 2001 which increased to 2964007 persons (29 lakhs). The population of ST in 2001 was 19,92,862 persons, i.e., 19 lakhs (around 85% of the total population) of which the Khasi-Pnar population was 11,41,832 persons, i.e., 11 lakhs (around 49% of the total population and more than 57% of the total ST population). Although the report that I have collected has given only the household population and not the absolute population numbers, it reveals the tribal household population is still more than 80 % of the total household population in the State. And when we use the percentage figure to come to the absolute figure, the tribal population of the state is approximately 25,14,609 persons, i.e., 25 lakhs; out of which assuming population ratio remaining the same, the Khasi-Pnar population is 14,52,363 persons, i.e., 14 lakhs. Although this figure is lesser than what Mr. Marwein has provided, it is only for the Khasi-Pnar population who in their own districts would constitute a minimum of more than 70% of the district population. I say minimum because this figure can very well go beyond 95%, if the 2001 Census is to be believed. We must remember that this is only the Khasi-Pnar population and other tribal groups like the Garos have not been considered. Thus, Marwein’s letter gives a highly distorted picture and improper understanding of the demographic profile of the state.
It may very well be an honest mistake on Marwein’s part in that he didn’t know the proper source for the data that he is providing. This shows that there is need for a complete disclosure of the various data and information regarding the demographic situation in Meghalaya. And of utmost importance is the need for an educated debate on the subject without any fear of being labelled as anti-Indian or anti-Jaidbynriew. Mere rhetoric will not take us anywhere. Debate regarding ILP is particularly disturbing because of the intolerance shown by all sides to any proper debate. When people are too defensive about the need for a thorough discussion and instead are engaged in derogatory labelling of opponents, that is the clue that something is amiss. Any action without proper thought will only result in disaster. Personally, looking at the demographic profile, I don’t see the rationale behind ILP. Also recent reports that I don’t have access to as yet has further revealed that the non-tribal population has actually been declining over the years. Instead, regarding demographics I am more concerned about the significance of the floating non-indigenous population and how many of them are staying back and allowed to buy land in the state, through legal or illegal means. If that is happening then it is a serious matter. But it must be first confirmed through a thorough investigation (anecdotal evidence is not enough) and not create a ruckus and agitate over it without any factual basis on the ground. And for that, as I have already mentioned, we need full disclosure and proper discussion and not subjective judgments based on wrong information.
Yours etc.,
Bhogtoram Mawroh,
PhD Scholar,
North Eastern Hill University
Issues before the ADCs
Editor,
I congratulate Adelbert Nongrum for his magnanimity in sacrificing the EM’s chair for others. This show that there are still politicians who can work for the JAITBYNRIEW instead of only craving for the chair. I request all newly elected MDCs to sink their political differences and work for the people in the next five years. Some of the issues are they can look at are: (1) The spread of unplanned graveyards- Many of our people who are poor and who do not belong to any organized religion do not have a proper burial ground. Having no choices, they bury their dear ones in their little homestead lands or courtyards close to their homes. This may affect our health and may poison the underground water supply in the long run. I request our MDCs to verify this by visiting some villages (2) Illogical and unsystematic village boundaries: Many Sordars will not be able to draw or submit the maps of their villages. Some of our villages are so divided, so illogical in their boundaries that it is impossible to take a village as a unit for development. The inability to have proper village boundaries may encourage influx and is one of the reasons for our boundary disputes with Assam (3) The neglect and decline of the Khasi language: I have read some book/novels that won the Nobel prize. I believe that our beloved Soso Tham deserves the Nobel Prize for his works. To encourage the revival of our language we should establish a SOSO THAM AWARD in Khasi literature along the lines of the Sahitya Akademi award. We should make a concerted effort to get the works of our respected SoSo Tham internationally recognised. We can then think of requesting the Central Govt to include our language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution and for Khasi to be one of the papers in the UPSC exams.
Yours etc.,
Toiler.H.S.Bonney, IFS(Retd)
Mawtap Pyllun Sohiong village, Meghalaya