By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 24: State Congress president Vincent H Pala on Friday accused the BJP of attempting to mislead the public over the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, which seeks to provide 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies.
Addressing reporters, Pala alleged that the BJP’s “main objective” is to push the proposed Delimitation Bill alongside the women’s reservation legislation.
“It is foolish of the BJP to say such things, especially in Meghalaya, where people are aware. The women’s reservation bill was approved in 2023. Bringing it again in this session is a way to mislead people and introduce delimitation,” Pala said.
Clarifying his party’s stand, he said the Congress is not opposed to women’s reservation but objected to the timing and linkage with delimitation. “They are bringing both bills together, which raises concerns,” he said.
He further criticised the lack of clarity in the proposed delimitation framework, claiming that the bill does not specify how seats would be allocated among Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and other categories.
“There is no clear formula. It appears to favour dominant groups while ignoring smaller communities who depend on reservation,” he said.
Highlighting challenges faced by marginalised communities, Pala pointed to competitive examinations such as CUET, stating that without reservation, many students are left behind.
“If there is no reservation in education or politics, who will represent the voices of SCs, STs, and OBCs?” he asked.
He warned that delimitation would impact not only Parliament but also state Assemblies, stressing the need for a clear resolution to safeguard representation for smaller and underrepresented groups.
“In a democracy, we must ensure equal opportunity and proper representation as guaranteed by the Constitution,” he said, reiterating that this remains a core principle of Congress.
Pala expressed concern over shrinking reservation opportunities in employment, particularly with the privatisation of public sector undertakings.
He cited institutions like North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences, where, he claimed, jobs are increasingly contractual with limited scope for reservation.
He took aim at the BJP’s past promises, including the pledge of Rs 15 lakh per household and resumption of coal mining within six months, pointing out that these commitments remain unfulfilled.
“Many of their claims are false, and people in Meghalaya are aware,” he said.
He further criticised the Centre over issues related to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act and the introduction of an anti-conversion bill, accusing the BJP of underestimating the political awareness of the people in the state.
“I do not think people will fall into the traps or tricks of the BJP,” Pala asserted.
Pala hails official status to Khasi, Garo languages
Pala also said that the recent move to accord official status to the Khasi and Garo languages in the state, though long overdue, would significantly strengthen the case for their inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
He remarked that the recognition should have come much earlier, but acknowledged that the step marks an important milestone in the ongoing efforts to secure national-level status for the two indigenous languages.
“This will help because earlier, when I met the Union Home Minister, he pointed out that even in our own state, Khasi and Garo were not officially used. He questioned how we could then expect these languages to be recognised or spoken in Parliament,” Pala said, underlining the challenges faced in pushing the demand at the national level.
Highlighting his sustained advocacy, the MPCC chief stated that he has consistently raised the issue both within and outside Parliament over the years. According to him, multiple representations were made to the authorities concerned, and he had introduced a private member’s bill in Parliament, stressing the need for constitutional recognition of the languages. “I have been pursuing this matter for a long time, and I am glad that they have now been recognised within the state,” he added.
Pala further emphasised that official recognition at the state level serves as a critical prerequisite for inclusion in the Eighth Schedule, which grants languages formal status and wider usage in governance, education, and parliamentary proceedings.
Expressing optimism, he said the development would provide renewed momentum to the long-standing demand of the people of Meghalaya.
“The recognition at the state level is crucial. I hope this decision will strengthen our demand to include Khasi and Garo in the Eighth Schedule,” he asserted.
