Long delay in Khasi language recognition concerns House

SHILLONG: The House on Tuesday expressed concern over the delay in including Khasi in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
In reply to a question by HSPDP’s Witting Mawsor, Arts and Culture Minister Ronnie Lyngdoh said the main committee to look into the inclusion of Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule, which was notified on November 28, 2014, had submitted its recommendation to the Political Department.
Raising a question, P.N Syiem (Congress) said non-inclusion of Khasi in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution will deprive the State of several benefits.
Independent legislator Saleng Sangma seconded Syiem.
Syiem said once Khasi language is recognised, the features of the language will figure in Google search.
The minister said the government is pursuing the matter.
Raising a supplementary question, Mawsor said the State should have its own Sahitya Akademi, which is one of the requirements for the recognition of the language.
In reply, Lyngdoh said the suggestion of the sub-committee in this regard was accepted in principal by the government.
Mawsor also wanted to know from Speaker A.T Mondal whether he (Mawsor) can speak Khasi in the Assembly since it is recognised as an associate official language of the State. However, the Speaker asked the member to follow the Assembly rules.
Saleng Sangma said besides Khasi, efforts should be made to include Garo and Jaintia languages in the Eighth Schedule.
Lyngdoh said the suggestion of the member will be considered.
Jemino Mawthoh of UDP said last year West Shillong legislator Paul Lyngdoh had brought a resolution on Khasi language and the reply of the government was that a committee was formed and its recommendations were submitted to the government.
According to Mawthoh, the demand has been pending since 1974. He wanted to know why there was so much delay even after the formation of the special committee.
“It is much after 1974 that Nepali and Konkani languages were included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution and later Bodo, Santhali and Manipuri were included whereas Khasi is yet to be included,” Mawthoh said.
Mawthoh said the national policy of education and the national curriculum framework encourage improvement of local languages.
“We have to build up Khasi language. Why is Khasi not a medium of instruction or for writing examination as it was done in the case of Assam,” the UDP leader asked.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said advanced steps are being taken by the government for the recognition of the language.
As far as Garo language is concerned, a demand has already been received, he said.
“A preliminary exercise has been initiated and the work is still on,” he added.