‘Centre’s apathy shows it looks down upon the Khasi language’

NONGSTOIN: The Khasi Department of Nongstoin College in collaboration with the Khasi Authors Society (KAS) organised a seminar demanding for the inclusion of the Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
Nongstoin MLA Macmillan Byrsat attended the seminar as the chief guest along with Nongstoin MDC LG Nongsiej as the guest of honour in the presence of DRL Nonglait, President, Principal of Nongstoin College I Mawthoh and others.
DRL Nonglait said that the central government should look at the sentiments of the people and the aspirations of the Khasis for the Khasi language to be included in the Eighth Schedule.
If the government does not consider the long pending demand, it shows that the government looks down not only upon the Khasi language but the Khasi community as a whole, he said.
He informed the gathering that that according to the 2011 census, the Khasi speaking population is not less than 15 lakh and thaty non-Khasis who speak speak and understand the language including Khasis residing in Bangladesh and other places would be more than 14 lakh. Nonglait emphasized on the need for cooperation among the Legislators in the state and also appeal to the Nongstoin legislator to be part of the movement.
Nongstoin MLA Macmillan Byrsat said that he will be a part and parcel of the Khasi Author Society (KAS) Movement and will give his full support for the inclusion of the Khasi language in the Eight Schedule.  He also remind the gathering that the first to propose such an idea was the Hima Nongstoin who implemented a rule back in 2003 stating that the Khasi language is compulsory within the Court of Hima Nongstoin.