SHILLONG: The NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) has deplored the ‘forceful’ use of indigenous language in the Assembly by certain legislators.
Earlier on Friday, after the governor’s speech in Hindi, the opposition had criticised the move.
The issue continued to dominate the House on Monday too as opposition members Ampareen Lyng-doh and Adelbert Nongrum spoke in Khasi to drive their message home.
Speaking to reporters after the session, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said he had not seen the use of indigenous language in the Assembly before. “Whoever can speak the official language of the state should do so,” Sangma said.
To a query, the chief minister said it is up to the legislators who used the indigenous language to reply as to whether they had done the right thing or not.
Later, Speaker Donkupar Roy said he would have a meeting with the MLAs to ensure that the official norm is followed. Though there is no harm in speaking in one’s mother tongue, this should not lead to any confusion, he added. Some legislators supporting MDA took exception to the statement by Nongrum in the Assembly that the use of Hindi by the governor was with a hidden agenda.
