By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 4: The Jaintia Students’ Movement (JSM) has urged Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar and Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla to jointly raise the issue of a separate quota for the Jaintia community under the state’s Reservation Policy in the Cabinet.
In a statement on Tuesday, the JSM urged the two ministers from Ri Jaintia to take up the matter seriously and press for what it termed as the “rightful share” of the Jaintia people in government reservations. The JSM expressed confidence that if the issue is sincerely discussed at the Cabinet level, the community’s concerns could be addressed. Recalling the National People’s Party’s campaign slogan during the recent MP elections—“Love your community through actions, not just words”—the JSM said this was the appropriate time for the ministers to demonstrate their commitment to the Pnar community through decisive action. It further stated that the leaders must be prepared to make sacrifices, if necessary, for the welfare of their people.
The JSM also referred to a short-duration discussion on the Reservation Policy raised in the Assembly on February 25 by Ardent M. Basaiawmoit, MLA of the Voice of the People Party from Nongkrem. According to the organisation, the repeated use of the term “Khasi” without mentioning “Khasi-Jaintia” during the discussion caused disappointment among members.
However, the JSM clarified that it does not condemn the MLA, acknowledging that his remarks may have been guided by party position or personal ideology. It expressed greater concern that the two ministers from Ri Jaiñtia did not immediately raise a point of order when the term “Jaintia” was omitted, noting that the matter was taken up two days later.
The students’ body reiterated its demand for serious deliberations and concrete steps to ensure equitable representation of the Jaintia community, stating that the community continues to remain underrepresented in government employment and other sectors.
At the same time, the JSM emphasised that its demand is not intended to create division among communities. It maintained that the Khasi and Jaintia people are united as Hynniewtrep and urged leaders to uphold their responsibilities with integrity so as not to disappoint the youth and the wider community.
The organisation concluded by reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding the rights and interests of the Jaintia people while maintaining unity within the broader Khasi-Jaintia society.
