Shillong, Sept 22: Thousands of people participated in the Public Rally and procession of the Khasi Authors’ Society today from Madan Iewrynghep to Malki Ground, Shillong. The rally was addressed by eminent literary and public leaders to pressurise the demand for inclusion of Khasi language in the Eight Scheduled to the Constitution of India and enlightened on the need to attain such a status in the national literary sphere.
The Chief Guest of the occasion, Syiem P. Syiemlieh, Chieftain of Nongkhlaw province recalled the historical incident about the imposition of Assamese language in the erstwhile composite state of Assam, he said ‘We have achieved autonomous Statehood in 1972 through the struggle against the imposition of Assamese language in 1960, and now our language deserved to be included in the Eight Scheduled to the Constitution of India’.
The President of Khasi Authors’ Society, Dr D R L Nonglait have given an introductory speech on the issue and stated that the entire Khasi community should rally together to achieve the goal. The rally was led by the group of motorbikers followed by the leaders of Khasi Authors’ Society and the members with the enthusiastic chanting of phawar by the members of Khasi Students’ Union.
The school and college students, teachers and the public at large participated in the procession and the rally, including a host of State legislators, political leaders of various parties along with some members from various communities who are concerned about the legitimate issue.
Among those who addressed the rally are Samuel Jyrwa, President of North East Students’ Organisation; Prof. Antionette Kharmalki, Head of Khasi Department, North Eastern Hill University; Dr P Nongtdu, Principal of Jaintia Eastern College; Dr. S Loniak Marbaniang, retired Professor of NEHU; Dr. Bajubon Roy Kharlukhi, former Member of Parliament and former Principal of Union Christian College, and Dr D R L Nonglait, President of Khasi Authors’ Society.
All the speakers asserted that Khasi language deserved to be included in the Eight Scheduled to the Constitution of India in terms of the quality and quantity of literary books in various branches of studies, Khasi language is also used in mass communication and internet portals for dissemination of information and imparting knowledge to various target groups like agriculture, education, healthcare, cultural heritage and others.
Further, it was also asserted that Khasi language already exceeded the criteria given by the Sahitya Akademi for the purpose of inclusion in the Eight Scheduled to the Constitution of India, and Prof Antionette Kharmalki narrated the history, ‘Khasi language is a subject of studies at Calcutta University, Guwahati University since the pre-independence period, which the British colonial rulers recognised the Khasi language more than any other tribal languages in the country’.
The speakers have urged upon the legislators to bring out a resolution in the Assembly session and demanded their enthusiastic participation in the public domain, even to rally to the Indian parliament house along with the eminent Khasi leaders and Khasi residents of the national capital, New Delhi.
A large number of public braved the rain shower during the rally and remained in the field throughout the meeting, carrying placards with the zeal and fervour of patriotism. The rally was also enhanced with the music of folk and traditional songs performed by the students of Lady Keane College, Shillong and Thomas Jones Synod College, Jowai.
