SHILLONG, MAY 28: Amid questions over its president contesting the Shillong Lok Sabha byelection, the Khasi Authors’ Society clarified Thursday that Dr DRL Nonglait’s decision to run as an NPP candidate is “his personal decision” and not endorsed by the Society.
General Secretary Dr RP Kharshiing issued the statement after weeks of public queries and criticisms in the press and on social media against KAS over Nonglait’s move.
“KAS is an organisation of Khasi writers that includes members from various different backgrounds,” the statement said, stressing that its mandate is to “develop, expand, and uphold the Khasi language, its literature, and literary works.”
KAS said its membership cuts across political and professional lines.
“We have many members who are in their own political parties and who support and engage in political work,” Kharshiing noted.
He said the rolls include former “MPs, MLAs, MDCs,” former state ministers, former Chief Executive Members of the District Council, as well as “religious leaders from different denominations, traditional chiefs, village heads, and government servants.”
The Society also counts “doctors, lawyers, school, college, and university teachers, self-employed persons, and others” among its members.
“These members joined the organisation on the principle that the organisation welcomes all writers to be members once they write in the Khasi language, especially when they have the desire to strengthen Khasi writing and reading,” the statement said.
Kharshiing pushed back against criticism of KAS over Nonglait’s candidature, calling it “an act of slander that has no basis and by those who do not know the way the organisation works.”
“Regarding the functioning of the Society, there is no restriction on any member, from officials to those who are just members, from joining or entering any political party or any group in society,” he said.
He reiterated, “The joining of Dr DRL Nonglait to the NPP party and the decision to contest the MP byelection is his personal decision and this has no connection whatsoever with the organisation.”
On operational continuity, the statement clarified that “in the functioning of the organisation it has been clearly laid down that in the absence of the President, the Vice President has to run the affairs of the organisation.”
KAS also highlighted a recent win for its long-standing campaign.
“In the past weeks, the government fulfilled the demand of the community which has been sought since 2023 and was led by the Khasi Authors’ Society; that is, ‘to make the Khasi language an official language in the State of Meghalaya.’ The gratitude goes to all the public,” Kharshiing said.
He closed by thanking backers saying, “Once again the organisation expresses its gratitude to all the public, organisations, and well-wishing groups who have given physical and moral support to the organisation at all times. We also look forward to the people of the Hynniewtrep continuing to support us in the days to come for the cause of upholding our mother tongue.”
