By Albert Thyrniang
On March 16, Meghalaya Governor, Ganga Prasad made a non-envious record in the Legislative Assembly. His maiden speech in the maiden session under the MDA government was controversial. Prasad scripted history by being the first governor ever to speak in Hindi. His unprecedented decision not to address the House in English, the official language of the Hill state, was met with opposition and protests from the Opposition benches. One legislator walked out and another insisted that he will speak in Khasi in the House. Others might decide to speak in Khasi or Pnar or Garo as the head of state has set an unwanted precedence. If so, inconveniences and time wastage will be the norm as not all officials on duties and the media persons understand these languages.
Why did the governor speak in Hindi? Is it true that he does not know English? How come a governor, who is to be an educated and a well-respected person can’t speak the language spoken by more than 1.5 billion (20%) of the world’s population? And India, with 125 million, is the world’s second-largest English-speaking country in the world, second only to the US. Even if he is not comfortable with English, could he not read an English prepared text? Can we not expect a governor of a state where English is an official language to know the language?
The blame is not on the current governor of the “Abode of Clouds”. The fault is with the government that appointed him. Why was he appointed? What were the motives for his appointment? What are the criteria for appointment of a governor? What are the credentials and criteria for appointment of a governor? Is being a BJP/RSS man the reason for appointing him to the highest office in a state? Is the BJP following unhealthy practice of its fiercest enemy, the Congress, for appointing only royal party men and women as governors? Are there no retired judges of the Supreme Courts and the High Courts and eminent citizens who can occupy the esteemed office? Granted that the saffron party will not appoint Congress and Left leaning individuals as governors but where are the educated RSS pracharaks?
All that Google reveals about the Governor of Meghalaya who assumed office on October 5, last year, is that ‘he was elected to the Legislative Council of Bihar in 1994 and had been a member for 18 years’. The India Express also adds that he was leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council for five years during the NDA government in the state. He was a businessman but began his political career as a member of Jan Sangh in 1967 and held various organizational posts in it and in the BJP.
Does a mere member of a Vidhan Parishad merit an appointment to the high office of a governor? Does a Leader of Opposition of the same House who has had a quite political life deserve to be governor? Can a person who is not considered distinguished, eminent or renowned be a governor? Articles 157 and 158 of the Constitution specify the easiest eligibility requirements for the post of governor but should not the dignity and status of the office be enhanced rather than compromised? Should not educational qualification, notable contributions in a particular field, integrity, capabilities and even practical skills be considerations for appointment of a governor? Should not the suitability of person for a certain state in a federal set up be taken into account before appointing him or her as governor?
The appointment of the 17th governor of Meghalaya has suspicious motives. It is part of the agenda of imposing Hindi in the North East and in non-Hindi speaking regions. It is part of the plan of the saffron brigades of one language, one culture, one religion, one nation. Why should Meghalaya accept and welcome such an anti-national strategy? Why should not Meghalaya protest and object against such a dangerous move? Why should not Meghalaya resist and reject this anti-diversity action? Why don’t the legislators here see attempts of saffronisation in the state?
Perhaps they see God’s will in it. Recently a Cabinet minister who missed the Chief Minister’s chair saw Conrad Sangma’s choice as chief minister to be divine. Another person considers the formation of MDA government as a blessing from God. Do they want to take us back to the doctrine of divine right of kings of 16th and 17th centuries? Should we attribute God’s mandate for a political arrangement? Should we give religious legitimacy to government formation? Do proponents of such an absurdity mean to say that this government should last, come what may, because it is divinely sanctioned? Do they mean to suggest that whatever this government does, no one has the right to criticize it because it is God’s government? I don’t find more stupid representatives than these. Government formation is human. Period. It is the leaders of the NPP, UDP, HSPDP, BJP, etc who formed the MDA government. They are not divine. So keep God out of politics!
Back to saffronisation! On the MDA government’s swearing in ceremony Shillong almost turned saffron. The GS road and roads leading to the Raj Bhavan were decorated with the BJP flags. BJP supporters welcomed guests to the palace with BJP flags. The venue was largely decorated with saffron colour. Most ministers bowed their heads with folded hands to greet the audience. The custom of shaking hands was abandoned in favour of ‘namaste’ greeting with folded hands. The BJP with just two MLAs played the key role in the government formation. BJP big wigs took undue advantage of being in power at the centre. A free flow of funds might have been the hock. This is anti-federalism tactic and our respected representatives don’t see it.
The BJP celebrated their win of two seats as if they swept the polls in the state. They celebrated the ‘victory’ in Tripura and Nagaland in Delhi as though they had won hands down. A closer look will reveal the real picture. In Meghalaya two opportunistic candidates were victorious. In Nagaland the party won 12 seats and is a minor partner of the NDPP with 29 seats. Only in Tripura did the rightist party oust the Left with 35 seats. The Lotus party did well but the national celebrations were certainly disproportionate. The exaggerated celebrations were meant to tell the voters in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, “Look even in the NE the BJP has won. So vote for BJP in the coming elections.” As indicators show, the party will be voted out of power in these states.
The untrue image was depicted by the national media. Headlines lines like, “The NE turns saffron”, “the BJP sweeps NE”, “Lotus blooms in NE”, “BJP+ win in Nagaland”, “BJP to form government in Nagaland”, “BJP and allies stake claim to form government in Meghalaya”, “BJP to form government in Meghalaya”, were some of the totally misleading headlines. In Tripura the IPFT with 8 seats was totally ignored by 24×7 channels. Except for Tripura, the BJP is a minor coalition partner in Nagaland and in ordinary circumstances a negligible entity in Meghalaya. But the media painted the whole of North East India saffron. Are the media houses all bought by the BJP?
We also know the reasons why the communal party did well in Tripura and Nagaland. It was not ‘Achhe Din, ‘Sabka Vikas, Sabka Saath’ or the ‘Modi wave’. The sentiment and emotion arousing slogans are no more appealing. Other techniques were employed. In Meghalaya the Rs 70 crore tourism package did not work. It backfired badly. But promises of ‘Nagalim’(greater Nagaland) and Holy land trips in Nagaland and ‘Tipraland’ (Separate tribal state) in Tripura did the tricks. Such assurances are purely for political power. ‘Nagalim’ is an impossibility. Assam and Manipur won’t compromise on their integrity. It is conceded that the Naga History is unique. But whose history is not unique? It is also doubtful the BJP is sincere on ‘Tipraland’
Ganga Prasad may be innocent in the ‘Hindi controversy’. He is not personally responsible. He is not at fault. That he does not speak English is not the point. The point is much bigger. The pointing fingers are at those who made the appointment and the motives for it. After the ‘controversial V Shanmuganathan’ a governor with an in indisputable stature should have been the successor.