SHILLONG: Mawphlang legislator S K Sunn has released the history of movement for recognition of Khasi language and remembered the stalwarts who were behind the move.
Sunn, who could not elaborate much on the Khasi language in the Assembly during the resolution adopted due to paucity of time, said in 1902, following the request made jointly by So So Tham, Hajom Kissor Sing, Samuel Shadap and W Booth, the then Director of Public Instruction permitted writing examination in Khasi and thus Khasi became the medium of instruction and examination.
He said the love for language by the Khasi and the Garo speaking communities dates back to 1960 when they resisted the imposition of Assamese as an official language in the erstwhile state of undivided Assam. “This paved the way for the movement of a separate state,” he said.
He reminded that the fight for inclusion of the Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule started in 1973 along with Nepali and Konkani. Late Prof Radhon Sing Lyngdoh Nongbri argued and presented the case for Khasi in the Sahitya Akademi and got the support of many members, including Dr Suniti Kumar Chatterji. The sudden demise of Chatterji, however, weakened the case and it did not move forward.
In the Lok Sabha, Khasi language figured in 1992 when the then MP from Meghalaya, Late Prof Peter G Marbaniang, supported the demand for Nepali, Manipuri and Konkani and also pleaded the case for Khasi. Thereafter, Late Ripple Kyndiah while supporting the demand for the inclusion of Bodo, Dogri, Maithali and Santhali pleaded the case for Khasi. However, it failed to materialise.
“It was only in 2004 that everyone became aware that Khasi needs to be an official language or associate official language to pave the way for inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
Thereafter, in 2005 gazette was published recognising Khasi and Garo as associate official languages of Meghalaya,” he said.
Subsequently, the Members of Parliament Vincent H Pala and Wansuk Syiem also made efforts but inclusion of Khasi in the Eighth Schedule is yet to materialise.
“It has to be kept in mind that Khasi was also a subject for matriculation under Calcutta University as early as 1900,” Sunn said.
Thereafter, Khasi was a subject at IA and Degree in 1919 under Calcutta University. Khasi became a subject in Degree in 1973-74 and honours subject in 1976 under Gauhati University. In 1981, Khasi became a subject at the Master Degree under NEHU and later for M Phil and PhD. At present, scholars are allowed to write their PhD thesis in Khasi.
Khasi has been the medium of communication in the six districts of the state and people living in Bangladesh bordering Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills also use the language as a medium of communication and so also the people living in Assam bordering Ri Bhoi and Jaintia Hills districts.
He hoped that the resolution on Khasi language will pave way for its recognition by the Centre.
