SHILLONG: Folklore says the original Khasi script was swallowed by a person while crossing a river. But now it is known that the original copy of the script, which remains undeciphered, is kept in a library in Assam.
One of the criteria set by the Centre for recognition to Khasi language is to have a script of its own.
As per the findings of the main and sub-committees on Khasi language constituted by the State Government to accord recognition to the language under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, though it is believed that a Khasi person swallowed the script after receiving them from God while swimming across a river, the parchment, in the form of rings, has been found in the archives of Kamarupa Anusandhan Samity Library in Guwahati.
The sub-committee said the parchment, which is considered as the script of the Khasis, is preserved in the museum of the library.
According to the main committee, this suggests that Khasi did have a script which unfortunately cannot be deciphered today.
Moreover, the committee said the ancient practice of “sending messages in the form of rings of chains”, which continues till date in the Hima Khyrim, suggests that the Khasis did possess a script that is used among the Syiems and the Myntris.
The main committee further said the presence of Khasi words like ka thoh (to write), ki dak (scripts, marks), and ka pule (to read) suggests that the race had a script of its own.
The sub-committee also echoed similar views.
Currently, Khasi language is using Roman script as developed by Thomas Jones.
Other criteria for recognition of Khasi language
The copy of the reports of both the main and the sub-committee on Khasi language, which is available with The Shillong Times, said for the criterion regarding the actual number of people speaking the language, the sub-committee had written officially to the Director of Census Operation and the Director of Economics and Statistics who, however, informed that they are yet to finalise the Khasi speaking population for 2011 census and that the same will be informed as soon as it is done.
According to the report, presently, the Khasi speaking population is 10,91,087 out of the total population of 23,18,822 as per 2001 Census. “Therefore it is clear that even as on 2001 census, we have doubled the 5,00,000 figures as per the Government of India criteria,” the report said.
Moreover, on whether it is spoken in geographically contiguous area, the report said Khasi is widely used in West Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills.
Regarding the amendment to the Meghalaya Official Language Act, the main committee accepted the suggestions of the sub-committee that there is a need to amend the Language Act of 1981 by framing rules, regulations and modalities which will ensure proper implementation of the Act since it has to be clear as to what is the status of Khasi as associate official language of the State.
The State Government had on May 4, 2005, notified Khasi as an associate official language of the State.
The main committee said that the government should take necessary steps to make clear the status of Khasi as associate official language.
The main committee also accepted in principle the suggestion of the sub-committee to set up Meghalaya Khasi Sahitya Akademi or Khasi Sahitya Akademi as per the requirement of the Centre.
The main committee said the Political Department can take up with relevant central authorities the issue of inclusion of the Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
