SHILLONG: Sedition charge against some students of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has divided India’s political class into two groups. While the Opposition is rallying behind the “innocent” students, the Centre has other ideas.
Back home in Meghalaya, seditious behavior is no alien. Not many years back slogans like “Khasis by blood and Indians by accident” used to be seen inscribed on the walls. To add to it was the stance of the various militant groups which boycotted days of national importance.
Sharing his thoughts on the issue, UDP legislator and former KSU president Paul Lyngdoh said that sedition was subjective in nature.
Reacting to a query he said that Khasis had an independent entity before being administered by the British.
Lyngdoh pointed out that attempts to make India a monolithic entity will only back fire.
He, however, felt that nothing should be done to disrupt the national integration.
“People should try to integrate,” he added.
On the other hand, Deputy Chief Minister Rowell Lyngdoh in charge Law said that people should first identify themselves as Indians.
He said that the people should understand that we are the citizens of this great nation.
Referring to the slogan Khasis by blood and Indians by accident, Lyngdoh said, “I don’t know how such slogans have come up, but we all are Indians first”.
Commenting on the anti national stance of militant outfits in Garo Hills, NPP leader James Sangma said that he condemns anyone who is anti-national and added that it is really unfortunate that some people have anti national stance.
When contacted, KSU president Daniel Khyriem did not want to make any comment on the matter.
Former ANVC leader Torik Marak, who joined BJP recently, refused to comment on the matter.
