ST certificate only for those Khasis who adopt mother’s surname: KHADC chief

SHILLONG, April 23: KHADC Chief Executive Member Titosstarwell Chyne has batted for preservation and protection of the age-old matrilineal tradition of the Khasi tribe where children adopt their mother’s surname.
“This practice of the Khasi matrilineal system was passed on to us by our forefathers. Any practice which is an attempt to deviate from this system will create more confusion,” Chyne told a section of the media here on Sunday.
Chyne also stated that any Khasi woman who marries a non-Khasi needs to get the Khasi tribe certificate to apply for the Schedule Tribes certificate for her children. “Obtaining the Khasi tribe certificate is mandatory if they want to apply for the ST certificate,” he said.
While backing the recent statement of KHADC Executive Member Elaka, Jambor War that Khasi tribe certificate should not be issues to people adopting their father’s surname, Chyne said that it is clear that children take their mother’s surname in the Khasi matrilineal system and that should be maintained.
“So the question of issuing the tribe certificate to those using their father’s surname does not arise,” he stated.
Earlier, War had directed all traditional Khasi village chiefs to strictly follow customary norms of issuing tribal certificates to only those using their mother’s surname.
“We directed the traditional village chiefs to issue tribal certificates as per Sections 3 and 12 of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Khasi Social Custom of Lineage Act, 1997 according to which only those following our custom of using their mother’s surname will be identified as a Khasi,” War had stated.