Row sparks after resident of Assam adopts Garo name

RESUBELPARA, May 30: The attempt of an Assam resident from Goalpara to change his name to that of a person belonging to the Garo tribe, as well as his religion from Islam to Christianity, through an affidavit has not gone down well with many.
The affidavit, which has gone viral on social media, has been objected to by many, including the AITC MDC from Rongrong, Rinaldo K Sangma, who has questioned the validity of such an exercise.
One Osman Goni changed his name, religion as well as tribal status through the affidavit. Goni, a Muslim by birth changed his religion to Christianity overnight while also changing his name to Osman Goni Marak, to declare himself Garo and take up the status of being a tribal.
“The recent affidavit undertaking Goni changing his name, tribe, identity and religion, which has surfaced on social media is condemned to the highest form. This is a malafide attempt by this Osman Goni individual to change his identity to a Garo and his religion to Christianity in order to enjoy the privileges of a tribal in Meghalaya,” said Rinaldo through a release this evening.
“The Apex court of the country rules that caste of a person is as per the kin of birth and cannot be changed. How can this individual change his name to Usman Goni Marak from Usman Goni? We have our traditional laws and Customs which have been followed through ages and such change of identity sans any approval from the Marak of any clan or the Achik tribe is not acceptable,” he added.
Rinaldo urged upon the Government of Meghalaya, the District Administration of all the districts of Garo Hills, the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council and all the Bar Associations of Garo Hills to cancel the identity of such individuals, scrutinise and put a strict check on such individuals resorting to such unscrupulous means and ways to take advantage of laws of the country.
He also urged the CEM of GHADC to expedite the process of framing the Garo Customary Law as promised as well as the creation of a separate electoral roll as early as possible.