By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 27: The Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) on Wednesday defended its demand for a separate Khasi-Jaintia state, rejecting criticism that the move was a divisive agenda.
The party maintained that the Garo and Khasi-Jaintia communities were distinct in terms of language, culture, tradition, and customs, and that conflicts of interest often arose, particularly in matters related to employment.
HSPDP president KP Pangniang, when asked about criticisms that the demand was an attempt to divide the state, said such an allegation was “totally wrong.”
He stated that the party has been pursuing the demand since 1987 and that it was a constitutional right. According to him, the issue was neither new nor unconstitutional, but a legitimate aspiration backed by provisions of the Constitution of India.
He emphasised that it was not aimed at creating a division but at recognising two unique identities that have coexisted with differences for decades.
Pangniang said the demand for a Khasi-Jaintia state was parallel to the longstanding call for a separate Garoland. He argued that instead of fighting each other on issues like reservation and representation, the two communities should acknowledge their distinctiveness and move forward with their respective statehood demands.
He underlined that the Khasi-Jaintia and Garo communities have separate languages, customs, and cultural practices, and these differences justify separate political entities.
The HSPDP chief further stated that his party has been working in coordination with the Garoland State Movement Committee to speed up the joint effort of placing both demands before the Centre. “We need to go ahead with our demands,” Pangniang said, stressing that the vision and mission to secure statehood for Khasi-Jaintia Hills and Garoland were clear.
He recalled that the HSPDP and other like-minded groups have been part of the National Federation for New States, a platform that unites various organisations across the country demanding statehood. Pangniang said that in 2022, more than 13 groups were associated with this federation.
In recent weeks, the HSPDP held joint meetings with other statehood groups, including those from Tripura, Karbi Anglong, and other regions.
These meetings, according to Pangniang, were aimed at uniting demands under a single banner. He said the groups resolved to continue pressing their case jointly and, in the future, to meet the Union Home Minister to submit their demands together.
He reiterated that the demand for a separate Khasi-Jaintia state was both legitimate and necessary, and that the HSPDP would continue to pursue it with renewed coordination and vigour.
