From Our Correspondent
JOWAI, April 11: Setting a hard deadline for the MDA government, the Khasi Authors’ Society (KAS) on Thursday demanded a special legislative session by April 2026 to elevate Khasi to a full official language—a move intended to force the Centre’s hand on the long-pending Eighth Schedule demand.
Addressing a public awareness meeting at Iawmusiang, Jowai, KAS central president Dr DRL Nonglait urged the state government to amend the Meghalaya State Language Act, 2005. The Act currently designates Khasi and Garo as “associate official languages.” Nonglait argued that the state must first grant these languages full official status before it can effectively pressure New Delhi for constitutional recognition.
The meeting served as a significant show of political strength, drawing support from influential pressure groups including the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU), Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC), and the Federation of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP). Traditional heads, elders, and students carrying placards also joined the call for Eighth Schedule inclusion, which would open doors for central funding and the use of the language in competitive exams like the UPSC and SSC.
The KAS expressed frustration over government inaction, noting that a memorandum submitted in October last year was ignored during the subsequent winter session despite being sent to all MLAs. This lack of progress has prompted the society to take the movement directly to the public.
“If the Chief Minister and his cabinet are serious about this demand, they must immediately convene a Special Session to amend the 2005 Act,” Nonglait said, calling for unity among the people of the Hynniewtrep region.
The Jowai meeting, presided over by KAS Jowai unit president NR Gassah, follows a similar programme in Nongstoin. The KAS plans to intensify its campaign with upcoming awareness meets in Khliehriat, Mairang, Mawkyrwat, Nongpoh, and Sohra.
