SHILLONG: Speaking about the demand for the inclusion of Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule of the India Constitution, Congress MP from Shillong Vincent Pala informed that he was suggested by former Finance Minister under the UPA government P. Chidambaram, that Khasi language has to be spoken in the Meghalaya Assembly.
Addressing the gathering at the release of the book, “Bynrap Bahynriew, Sixth Schedule, Constitution of India”, he informed that he was asked by Chidambaram whether Khasi is spoken or not during session in Meghalaya Assembly in which Pala replied in the negative.
“There are many who win Assembly elections but don’t know how to speak English. I told the Chief Minister (Mukul Sangma) that there has to be an interpreter to allow such MLAs to speak using the service of an interpreter,” he said.
Meanwhile, a plea to make a united call upon the Khasi society to demand for the inclusion of Khasi language in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution was made during the commemoration of the 175th years of Khasi written literature organised by Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi at St Edmund’s College on Thursday.
Pro Vice-Chancellor of NEHU, Henry Lamin bemoaned that the demand for the recognition of Khasi language was raised only by the Khasi Authors’ Society (KAS).
“There is a big mission for the Khasi Language which requires to be included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. There is a need to protect our mother tongue, the Khasi language,” he said.
Pointing to the inclusion of Manipuri language (in 1992) in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, Lamin asserted that it was pathetic for the Khasi language to not have received the same due recognition.
He said that it was dangerous to the Khasi community if the Khasi people did not value their mother tongue as he observed that children in the state know to speak and write English very well but cannot do the same in case of Khasi.
Lamin urged the Khasi teachers and scholars to create an attractive environment for learning Khasi language.
Meanwhile, Principal of St. Edmund’s, Sylvanus Lamare has appealed for a revival of the demand to get the Khasi language recognized in the Eighth Schedule not only by one organisation but by the society as a whole in addition with a strong political support.
He pointed that late politicians, Peter G Marbaniang and PR Kyndiah pleaded in Parliament about the inclusion of Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution which, however, did not materialise.
Stating that Khasi language has a rich literary tradition and with the language used by close to 12 lakhs speakers, Lamare said, “The Khasi language has everything but lacks that it is not a medium of instruction.”