By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 31: Weeks after the Meghalaya government accorded official language status to Khasi and Garo alongside English, the question of linguistic recognition has resurfaced in the Jaintia Hills, with community organisations pressing for formal recognition of the Jaintia language and the A-B Jaintia or Pnar Phonetic Alphabet.
The renewed demand comes amid a broader debate over identity and language in the state. While some scholars and community members regard Khasi and Jaintia as belonging to the same linguistic family, others maintain that the Jaintia language possesses distinct linguistic characteristics and merits separate recognition and institutional support.
Against this backdrop, the Jaintia National Council (JNC) and the Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU) have resolved to jointly pursue the inclusion of the Jaintia language under the Meghalaya State Language Act and push for official recognition of the A-B Jaintia Phonetic Alphabet. The decision was taken during a joint meeting held in Jowai, attended by scholars, teachers, writers, professors, literary bodies, senior citizens and representatives of the two organisations.
Participants discussed issues relating to the preservation, promotion and official recognition of the language.
The development follows the Meghalaya government’s decision earlier this year to elevate Khasi and Garo to the status of official state languages through the Meghalaya Official Languages Ordinance, 2026.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma had then stated that both languages would be used in official government communications alongside English, with corresponding amendments to relevant laws to be undertaken.
JNC president Sambormi Lyngdoh said the meeting had arrived at a common understanding on the need to intensify efforts for recognition of the Jaintia language and the A-B Jaintia Phonetic Alphabet. He noted that the alphabet had already been approved through a resolution of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council during its 2021 Budget Session and was subsequently published in the Meghalaya Gazette.
