TURA: The A’chik Literature Society has backed calls for the inclusion of the Garo language in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution of India and in its executive body meeting held on Saturday in Tura, passed a resolution to request Meghalaya Government to pursue the matter of recognition and inclusion of Garo in the above-mentioned Schedule.
Along with the Society are two other Garo organisations that have lent support for inclusion of Garo language for the past many years.
All three bodies, namely the A·chik Literature Society, Garo Graduates Union and Senior Citizens Forum took a resolution in the General Conference of the A·chik Literature Society way back in 2015 to demand inclusion of Garo in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution of India.
The society submitted a memorandum to Late Shri Purno A Sangma who was then the MP representing Tura in Lok Sabha.
“Accordingly, Late Shri P.A. Sangma demanded recognition and inclusion of Garo and Khasi language in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution in the Special Sitting of the Lok Sabha on the occasion of 125th Birth Anniversary of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkhar that took place on 27th November, 2015. He pointed out that a total 22 languages from 28 states had been recognised by the Constitution, and out of them only three are from North-East viz., Assamese, Manipur and Bodo,” recalled members of the society.
The society stated that the A·chik Literature Society submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister of Meghalaya through the Deputy Commissioner, Tura West Garo Hills on November 12, 2015 requesting him to constitute a Committee for the purpose of taking steps towards recognition and inclusion of Garo in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution.
“We submitted a reminder for the same on June 10, 2016, but we did not receive any reply from the State Government to our memorandum,” recalled the A’chik Literature Society and added that, later, a memorandum was handed over to the new MP of Tura Conrad K Sangma on October 17 urging him to pursue the matter.
“Legislator from Gambegre constituency, Saleng A. Sangma, had also demanded on the floor of the House in the state assembly on November 27 for the inclusion of Garo and Jaintia in the 8th Schedule of Indian Constitution. His demand had been recorded and documented. The matter is already in the minutes of the Legislative Assembly,” informed the society.
Citing the reasons for Garo to be included in the 8th Schedule, the society revealed that the language is spoken by over 8 lakh people in the state of Meghalaya as per the 2011 census and its literature was sufficiently developed to deserve recognition.
“The language is spoken in Assam, North Bengal, Tripura, parts of Nagaland and in Bangladesh. The reason for our demand is that recognition is our right, and the purpose of the demand is that Garo literature will get a boost, new avenues and facilities will be opened for study, research and creative writing. Those who are appearing in the competitive examinations will enjoy the option to write and appear in the examination in their own language. The A·chik society will benefit in more ways than can be perceived in the immediate from the inclusion of Garo in the 8th Schedule,” announced the society.