By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 8: NPP spokesperson and Cabinet minister Marcuise N Marak advocated on Wednesday for a concerted effort by civil society organisations and the state government to put pressure on the Centre to include the Khasi and Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule.
“There is no doubt that we met some of the leaders, and the uncertainty that persisted surrounding us has been cleared up. We can now work together to exert pressure on the GOI,” Marak remarked.
Speaking of their meeting with the MHA Secretary and other officials in Delhi, he said that they were told that of all the languages that had applied to be considered for recognition, not a single one had been left out and that the Garo language had never been taken off the list of languages to be considered.
“The Chief Minister and the Achik Literature Society will also receive a letter from the MHA Secretary stating that the Garo language is already on the list of 38 languages for consideration,” he stated. Additionally, he said that although they had attempted to meet the Union Home Minister, they were unable to do so since he was travelling to other states.
Speaking about the government’s role, he said that Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma’s MDA government takes its responsibilities very seriously and that the CM has been in regular contact with the Union Home Minister and has inquired about the situation frequently during his visit to Delhi.