Editor,
The letter, “Protectionism weakens” by I.G. Kharsyntiew (ST Nov 25, 2020) made refreshing reading. I endorse most of what he said about the mindset of certain section of people of Meghalaya. I have nothing to add to it except that it is time to think seriously about the priorities before the tribal communities of the state. Swami Vivekanada had once said, “Tell me what most of the young people think and I will tell you what’s the future of the place.” Today, the youth of Meghalaya who have been constantly fed with the emotive call to protect themselves against perceived “onslaught”, “exploitation” by the “others”, have come to believe that driving out “others” is their best form of protection. The youth have tended to believe that they must rid the place of “others”. That “others” are the sworn enemies of the tribal people’s future.
In this regard, since the dawn of Meghalaya step after step has been taken by the governments both in Shillong and Delhi to give a sense of security to the tribal people. In the process, today we have almost cent per cent job reservation for tribals, blanket ban on purchase of land by “others.” reservation of 55 seats in the Assembly for the majority tribes, disenfranchising “others” from Khasi Hills District Council elections and many more such protectionism have been brought about through violence and hate mongering. But it seems the thirst is insatiable. Now the demand is for ILP, entry-exit points, residential safety laws – all aimed at protecting the tribals from being overrun by the “others”! As I see it, the governments in the State and the Centre have been bullied into submitting to some arm-twisting tactics of those vested interest who have one single agenda: to keep the “others” at bay.
For “others” like me, there is no issue if the tribes do everything to protect themselves as long as they don’t trample upon the rights of “others.” Come to think of it, most of the protection measures created by the government are unconstitutional. Although I am not an expert on constitutional law, I can bet my last penny on the argument that job reservation of more than 50% is unlawful; total ban on purchase of land by “others” at least in Shillong is “unreasonable”, reservation of 55 seats for the majority communities is ultra-vires to the Constitution. Similarly, denial of rights of “others” for participating in a democratic process is plain racism and untenable. I seriously believe that time has come to challenge some of these measures which are bad in law.
The country today has a politically all-powerful regime which has accomplished such “feats” as removal of Article 370 and many more similar measures which were unthinkable a few years ago. I hope that in the greater interest of the country, the Central Government would judicially review these provisions which are unfair and unconstitutional. At the same time, I also appeal to the thinkers and political forces to stop the over-kill on ‘othering’ lest it turns out to be counter-productive.
Yours etc.,
A P Singh,
Via email
A pointless effort
Editor,
Apropos the letter by Mr. Chaksekhar Reddy (ST Nov 23, 2020), I would reiterate that hundreds of such letters and articles were written in the last 40 years but nothing has changed for the minorities of the state. Here in the state minorities are “timid” voters used only during the time of elections. Yes, seemingly minorities are living peacefully; they enjoy festivals, attend offices, schools, colleges but at the back of their minds they know they have to leave one day permanently. Since 1979 how many families have left Shillong (in particular) permanently? Yes about 45% of minorities that are original residents have left and more would leave in the next 2 to 3 years. Government of Meghalaya never wanted to know the reasons or to set up a body to find out the compelling factors
Memoranda, letters, articles have no value in my personal opinion. They have no place for anguish too because minorities in this state have to leave one day permanently and those who would stay back for some more years will live without any dignity and with fear only!
Yours etc.,
Anjan Kumar Das,
Shillong 6