SHILLONG: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) CEM H.S. Shylla said the loss and deprivation of Khasi status is already mentioned in the Khasi Hill Autonomous District (Khasi Social Custom of Lineage) Act, 1997 and it is nothing new.
Reacting to the anti-Bill groups’ argument on the loss of Khasi status,, Shylla said, “They have been stressing on the loss of Khasi status. The loss of Khasi status is nothing new as in the Section 10 of the Act of 1997 points to the “Loss and deprivation of Khasi status”. That time there was no reaction or protest.”
Shylla thanked his counterpart in Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC), Medonbai Rymbai for his support to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Khasi Social Custom of Lineage) (Second Amendment) Bill, 2018 which was passed last month by the KHADC.
Clarifying to confusion, Shylla pointed to the Khasi Hill Autonomous District (Khasi Social Custom of Lineage) Act, 1997 which defined a Khasi as a person belonging to Khasi tribe who may be a Khasi, Jaintia, Pnar, Synteng, War, Bhoi, Lyngngam, or who is recognized or deemed as such under prevailing Khasi custom.
“We are recognised as one tribe. He (Rymbai) also said that Khasi men should also not be allowed to go for mix marriage. I welcome such a suggestion from the CEM of Jaintia Hills. On that note, we will look into it,” he said.
On the other hand, Shylla said the Council will not allow the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Khasi Social Custom of Lineage) (Second Amendment) Bill to face the same fate as the Act of 1997.
“The Act of 1997 was passed on March 13, 1997 and assent on February 23, 2005. It will be an insult to the autonomous body,” he said.
As for the protestors against the Bill, Shylla asserted the sentiments of the majority is taken while it is only a few who protest as they are “influenced by circumstance and it is natural for them to defend. But their objection is immaterial.”
He referred to Article 29 (1) of the Indian Constitution which states “Any section of the citizens residing in the territory of India or any part thereof having a distinct language, script or culture of its own shall have the right to conserve the same.”
Asserting that the interest of community is of prime importance while that of an individual comes second, he said, “We as a community, we have every right to preserve ourselves for our survival. All other minority communities are on the verge of extinction. If I am not mistaken, we also fall in that list.”
He added that mix marriage is one of the weapons that will weaken any community.
Clans’ registration
The executive committee of the Council has decided to direct the Syiem of Hima Mylliem as well as Syiem of other chiefdoms to immediately call all clans to register at their respective office.
“The clans falling under Hima Mylliem should register at the office of the Syiem of Hima Mylliem. As when it comes to marriage, clans have a huge responsibility to trace lineage of both the parties to avoid conflicts,” Shylla said.
The Hima can submit the names to the Executive Committee of the KHADC.
