Editor,
The current topic of empowerment of Rangbah Shnong is continuously being raised by all concerned be it social groups, political parties, the MDCs and the affected Rangbah Shnong. A larger section of our society does feel that this is the right time to give the women their due by involving them in the affairs of Dorbar Shnong (DS) While the said view is gaining momentum and even the issue of womens’ participation was realized by our legislators, the members of the KHADC unfortunately insist that the Government should send the Village Administration Bill 2014 in its present form for the assent of the Governor. If there is any provision in the said Bill, for inclusion and involvement of women folk in the affairs of grass roots governance, on that particular count the same would be considered as a very rational one. The other provision of the Bill, which reportedly conflicts with existing laws could be cured by removing those conflicting provisions.
There were reports that some of the DS, allow the participation of women in the affair of the Shnong but I believe that such participation exist only at the time of selection or election of the Rangbah Shnong and not beyond that. The letter to the Editor dated May 15 2015 under the heading “Baseless allegation” is quite enlightening. The author of the said letter the Chairman and Rangbah Shnong, Laitumkhrah Dorbar Shnong Pyllun (in short LDSP) claims that “… The LDSP is also one of the Dorbar Shnong that has women representatives as Executive Members”. If this is a fact, the aforesaid development is laudable.
However, the question does arise as to what provision of law allows women to participate in the election of the Rangbah Shnong and to also become the executive members in a DS. The LDSP is under the Mylliem Syiemship therefore in the said locality after the coming into force of the “The Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Appointment and Succession of Syiem, Deputy Syiem, Electors and Rangbah Shnong of Mylliem Syiemship) Act, 2007”, the appointment of Rangbah Shnong of LDSP is certainly subject to the provision of the aforesaid Act.
Section 16 of the said Act, deals with the election and confirmation of Rangbah Shnong and Section 16 (3) of the Act states “A Rangbah Shnong shall be elected only by the recognized Khasi male adults who are the permanent residents of the village or urban locality concerned”. The provision of law is clear that it is only the Khasi male who has the right to elect the Rangbah Shnong. When there is no such provision under the Act, then from where did the LDSP derive the authority to include women in DS and also having a few of them as executive members? In this context, it would not be wrong to say that the whole composition and function of LDSP by involving and including the women folk in the affairs of the DS is in letter and spirit against the provision of the Act of 2007. And when the composition is contrary to law, therefore the acts and deeds done so far by the LDSP are questionable. What is projected by the above development is that DS are at liberty to act according to their whims and fancy and not bound to follow the Act passed by KHADC.
Some of our Hon’ble MLAs have realized that the need of the hour is to involve women and few of them have expressed their opinion in this regard both in the Assembly as well as in public platform. However, it is surprising that our MDCs are keeping mum over the issue of women’s rights and empowerment. I also wonder where the women organizations are. Are they not morally and otherwise bound to raise the issue concerning women at least to create a situation whereby our society and government would realize the need to include women in all affairs of the State. In this Information and Technology era the whole world is watching the developments taking place in Meghalaya particularly concerning women’s rights as the world knows- ours is a matrilineal society. Sadly, here women are yet to get their dues.
Please do not give women vague rights, which if disputed cannot be enforced as a legal right with a remedy before any forum. Therefore, unless legal sanction is accorded paving the way for the involvement of women in the affairs of DS, no Act is worth passing. Women need to demand their right to fully participation in DS with adequate legal sanctions and safeguards. The Meghalaya State Women’s Commission and all the women’s organizations must keep an eye on the present developments because they have a special role to play to ensure that women’s constitutional and other rights prevails.
Yours etc.,
A. Synrem
Shillong-1
