GSU urges Meghalaya Governor to mandate ST certificates for GHADC polls, amend Para 12 A of Sixth Schedule

SHILLONG, MAR 24: The Garo Students Union (GSU) has appealed to Meghalaya Governor C.H. Vijayashankar, seeking his intervention to make Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificates mandatory for participation in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections. The GSU has also urged the Governor to consider amending Para 12A of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India.

Addressing media persons after the meeting on Tuesday, GSU president Tengsak G Momin said, “We met the Governor on one point only: making ST certificates mandatory for voting and contesting in GHADC elections.”

The GSU also discussed amending Rule 128 to insert “indigenous scheduled tribes of Garo Hills” and modifying Para 12A of the Sixth Schedule to limit the Meghalaya government’s interpretation of district council rules.

While also submitting a letter to the Governor, the GSU president argued that allowing non-tribals to vote and contest in GHADC elections contradicts the 6th Schedule’s purpose of preserving tribal identity and culture.

“The anomaly ensures dilution of the inviolable protective provisions of the 6th Schedule,” Momin stated.

“We also discussed amending Para 12A of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India, a proposal we’ve been pursuing through multiple meetings with the KSU and FKJGP. The Meghalaya government has been interpreting district council rules through this paragraph, prompting us to ask the Governor about the feasibility of amending it to limit such interpretations,” he added.

“The Governor’s response was positive,” Momin stated.

“He mentioned Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and whether it should be implemented before GHADC elections.”

The Governor has informed that he had discussed potential amendments to election rules with Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, emphasizing mandatory ST certificates for GHADC voters and candidates.