SHILLONG, May 4: KHADC Chief Executive Member (CEM), Titosstarwell Chyne on Thursday reiterated that ST certificates should only be issued to those who use their mother’s surname as is mandated by the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Khasi Customs Social Lineage Act, 1997.
“It is a mandate of the Council as an institution to protect our traditional customary practices. We will have to protect the Khasi matrilineal system which was passed on to us by our forefathers,” Chyne said while adding that it will be difficult, both on his part and that of the KHADC, to take any decision that goes against the age-old system.
“As the head of the Council, I have to strictly abide by the customary laws,” he said, adding that it was on this ground that the KHADC wrote to the various deputy commissioners not to issue ST certificate to anyone using their father’s surname.
Chyne urged the Syngkhong Rympei Thymmai (SRT) to come forward with suggestions on how to change the customary practice of the Khasi tribe of taking the surname from the mother.
The KHADC chief said the Council’s doors are open for the members of the SRT if they wish to meet him to deliberate on this matter.
“I am ready to listen to their views and opinion on this matter,” he added.
It may be mentioned that the SRT is as organisation that seeks to change the age-old matrilineal tradition of the Khasis into a patrilineal one.
They have threatened to move the court if the issuing authority declines to give ST certificates to those who carry their father’s surname.
SRT president Teibor Khongjee said that they had already taken legal advice from four lawyers on this matter.
The SRT said the Social Welfare Department in a 2020 notification had clearly mentioned that a Khasi who carries his or her father’s surname is entitled to ST status and certificates if they meet other criteria.
