SHILLONG: The amended KHADC bill approved by the council on Wednesday to prevent a Khasi woman from marrying a non-Khasi has been criticised by woman from all walks of life who feel it is “gender-biased”.
Prominent personalities have expressed their deep resentment with many saying the amended bill will propagate “culture of hate”.
CSWO President Agnes Kharshiing told The Shillong Times on Thursday that they are eager to challenge the gender-biased bill that is a violation of the fundamental right of a tribal woman.
“Our ancestors never dreamt of killing a society so rich in kindness and respect but were willing to allow even the men to ‘tang jait’ (take in a new title for their wives). How can a custom that has been there for ages be scrapped by the decision of a few, unconstitutionally and deny a tribal woman and her children their tribal rights,” she said. Kharshiing pointed out that the KHADC’s decision to discriminate against women is akin to “Khap Panchayat in our backyard waiting to pounce on women”.
“Bringing in such an act at this point may deny many Christians from performing their religious belief as Christians are not stopped from marrying a non-tribal,” she said.
The chairperson of the Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW), Theilin Phanbuh, said the bill was “shocking”.
“I think it is a little bit gender-biased because if they pass a bill to ban Khasi women marrying a non-Khasi then what about men and they have not mentioned anything about it. Marriage is a personal choice according to the Constitution,” she said.
As “it is a very sensitive issue”, the bill needed to be discussed, she said and added that it was difficult to accept such bill in a matrilineal society.
Former Principal of Shillong College MPR Lyngdoh echoed similar views and agreed on deliberations on the bill.
According to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Khasi Social Custom of Lineage) (Second amendment) Bill, 2018, a Khasi woman will lose her ST status and all privileges which come with it if she marries a non-Khasi. Her children too will be deemed as non-Khasis.
Denouncing the bill, TUR member Angela Rangad said it was anti-women.
“The bill is only creating confusion and bringing in a culture of hate, which is dangerous,” she said while expressing surprise as how the women MDCs did not speak a word against it.
Meghalaya Mahila Congress president Joplyn Scott Shylla said the Khasis are minorities and hence they need to multiply and grow but in this modern age, “people are free to marry anyone they like and it is not good for someone to dictate terms and force people not to marry outside the tribe”.
