Traditional Institutions as mute spectators to the Indian Festival of Elections:Mr Kharshiing

Shillong, March 21: Traditional Institutions as mute spectators to the Indian Festival of Elections Till date MP candidates and political Parties have been silent on the treaty agreement under the conditional Instrument of Accession.

Mr John Kharshiing said that on 15 May 1989 former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi Speech in Parliament while introducing 73rd and 74th Amendment Act – refer Article 243 mentioned exception from the BILL referring to existence of the Traditional Institutions of Self Government – and the District Councils in Meghalaya under Sixth Schedule.

However while District Councils are mentioned in the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India, no Articles to define the role, function, power, jurisdiction responsibilities of the Traditional Institutions of Self Government, (particularly the 25 Khasi States – Federation of Khasi States, Sirdars, Dolloi, and Nokmas ) in the Constitution of India keeping them in Limbo till date primarily due to the non-fulfilment of the solemn national Commitment by the Govt of India to this small tribe who has repeatedly been petitioning democratically to the GOI since last 70years (1948-2019).

Even the architect of the Sixth Schedule Rev JJM Nichols Roy, lamented that in his memo at a late stage that he was shocked how the Sixth Schedule was redrafted at the last minute due to the pressure from the Cabinet ministers of the then Premiere of Assam Shri. Gopinath Bordoloi, which has led to conflicts on the ground.

On the other hand the United Khasi  and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Appointment and Succession of Chiefs and Headmen Act 1959 and all subsequent Acts and Rules legislated by the ADCs have become more of  a dilution of the Customary laws and relegated and impacted the Khasi Chiefs to unconstitutional and inhuman voilation of indigenous human rights.

The 1959 Act bars all Chiefs from participating in Politics – this is another serious anomaly in the Act. This Act 1959 is in conflict to the election guidelines for.a free and fair election. When will state government resolve the issues.of the other Khasi States, said Mr John Kharshiing Chairman, The Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya and Spokesperson, Federation of Khasi States in his press statement.

 

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