Shillong, April 13: The latest official intentional directive by the BJP led NDA Govt at the Center, to observe Digital India Day on Good Friday, to Meghalaya, is in contradiction to the Preamble of the Constitution of India, which states “…LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship;” an act that disregards the sentiments of the Christians in their liberty of worship.
On the other hand we are not surprised as to these on going decisions and directives, as the BJP Manifesto 2014, itself is reflective of its particular ideology, which they have promised to implement on assuming power at the center.
The BJP Manifesto 2014, states on page 7, “Jammu and Kashmir : The BJP reiterates its stand on Article 370, and will discuss this with all stakeholders and remain committed to the abrogation of this article”. It is a reference to undo and undermine the Instrument of Accession, signed and accepted between Jammu and Kashmir and the Dominion of India during 1947-48, which seeks to protect the special status of the people of Jammu & Kashmir.
On the contrary we recall during 1997, Shri. John F Kharshiing, Spokesperson, Federation of Khasi States, met Shri. PB Archarya, Incharge, Five Border States, NE Region, BJP, in Shillong in presence of (late) Bah TH Rangad, MLA, and after this meeting the BJP in-charge NE, published and circulated a Policy Statement of the BJP for Meghalaya (1997-98) wherein it promises and states that “34. On Old Agreement /Instrument : The party shall pay full respect to any or all the old agreements or Instruments solemnly entered in between the tribal rulers and the then Dominion of India immediately after India’s independence and shall take appropriate steps in confirmation and fulfillment of the spirit enshrined therein”..
In this regard the Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya, comprising of the Federation of Khasi States, Sirdarship, Dorbar ki Dolloi, and Council of Nokmas, had on many occasions submitted memos and reminders to past and present Governments at the Center including the President of India (21-10-2013); to President /Secretary BJP Meghalaya (2016), to Shri. Amit Shah, President BJP( 22 April 2015), to Shri. Rajnath Singh, Union Minister, MHA, GoI (26 Sept 2014) to Shri. Kirren Rijiju, Union Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs, GoI, since quite some time and another memo was also submitted recently personally by Paiem Phrester M Syiemlieh, Syiem Nongkhlaw, to Shri. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, during his visit to Shillong, on 28 May 2016, but till date there has been no progress on the matter. The FKS is yet to get a clear reply from the BJP as to the steps taken by the BJP to fulfill their promise to the Khasi States as stated in the Policy Statement of the BJP for Meghalaya.
In the same BJP Manifesto 2014, it is also mentioned in page 8. “BJP believes in India being one India one people and one nation”, these are contradictory and far reaching statements as the BJP is well aware that India also includes the many Indigenous Nations among them the Federation of Khasi States Nations whose agreements are yet to be fulfilled as enshrined in the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement of 17th August 1948. It may be recalled that the Twenty Five Khasi States did not sign the Instrument of Merger and its description within the First Scheduled and within the Sixth Scheduled was not in accordance to Article 290 A of the Government of India Act 1935. The Federation of Khasi States continue to await action and response from the BJP which has been in power since last almost three years.
In this regard, the the Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya, comprising of the Federation of Khasi States, Sirdarship, Dorbar ki Dolloi, and Council of Nokmas, Federation of Khasi States, urge the Dorbar/ Aking Nokma’s that it is urgent and now mandatory to discuss and deliberate on the Political Manifesto’s of all political parties before the people at the respective non-political Dorbar Shnong, Dorbar Raid and Dorbar Hima/ Elaka, Aking Nokma, prior to MLA or MP Elections. This non-political exercise at the Dorbar level will benefit the people in the long run and help them to become informed citizens prior to the many elections, failing which they would continue to have to come out on the streets to demonstrate and protest for their rights after elections.
