SHILLONG: KHADC chief executive member HS Shylla met Governor Ganga Prasad on Friday and submitted the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Khasi Social Custom of Lineage) (Second amendment) Bill, 2018.
The bill, which says a Khasi woman marrying a non-Khasi will lose her ST status and all privileges as a member of the tribe, has already created uproar and many women activists have voiced concern over the gender-biased move of the council.
Now, all eyes are on the governor whether he will approve the bill.
Speaking to reporters after meeting the governor, Shylla said those opposing the bill are not concerned about the threat that the indigenous community is facing.
“Our legislation is to ensure protection of the Khasi race from exploitation by those who use the present setup for gains,” he added.
Supporting the CEM, HSPDP member Teilinia Thangkhiew said, “The bill is not against love marriage or any wedlock. Our legislation is to check those who are in the use of exploiting the Scheduled Tribe status for benefits.”
Shylla, who was accompanied by his executive members, apprised Prasad of the bill, which also declares the offspring from a mixed marriage as ‘non-Khasi’.
The CEM appealed to his counterparts in the Jaintia Hills and the Garo Hills Autonomous District Councils to follow suit.
Shylla said the KHADC delegation would meet the deputy chief minister on Monday to discuss the bill.
