SHILLONG, MAY 12: Inclusion of the Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution will be his top priority in Parliament, NPP candidate and Khasi Authors Society (KAS) president Dr DRL Nonglait said on Monday at his first campaign meeting for the Shillong Lok Sabha by-election in Nongshillong, Eastern West Khasi Hills.
“We (KAS) are for inclusion of the Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India,” Nonglait said, addressing the gathering.
“The Khasi Authors Society is a society that works hard, works with body and soul. We have members from different parties in this society. I thank them all because we have worked hard to uplift our language and literature without any bias.” Nonglait, who has led KAS for 14 years, said securing official language status for Khasi in Meghalaya was a milestone but not the final goal.
“We have now been able to make Khasi an official language of Meghalaya,” he said.
Recalling the statehood movement, he added, “The movement to get a Hill State began in 1960 when the Assam government tried to impose Assamese in all districts under Assam, including the united Khasi-Jaintia Hills district. But after getting statehood, we forgot our language. Now we are able to use our own language. Now we can write letters to the DC office in Khasi, whether the DC is a non-tribal or Khasi.”
He said the “final goal is to go to Delhi” to push for Eighth Schedule recognition.
“This is a milestone of success but it is not the final goal. The final goal is to go to Delhi,” he said.
Nonglait claimed the demand had stalled due to lack of coordination between the state and MPs.
“…after carefully examining the proceedings of the Lok Sabha, since 1992 we have not found coordinated and mutual understanding between the Chief Minister and the MPs,” he said.
“Because of that, the demand for inclusion of Khasi in the Eighth Schedule has been stalled.”
He said Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma had assured cooperation.
“This is the main reason and the issue I want to take to Parliament. Our Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has assured cooperation from now on,” he said.
“When the Chief Minister and the Cabinet take it seriously, and the MPs who go there take it seriously, with one strategy, one strength, one voice and one shared responsibility, one day we will be able to achieve inclusion of Khasi in the Eighth Schedule,” Nonglait said.
He argued that constitutional recognition would open up opportunities. “Once Khasi is included in the Eighth Schedule you will see a transformation. Just from constitutional recognition of Khasi, many IAS officers will emerge every year, IFS officers, ISS officers – because they will be able to take one UPSC paper in Khasi,” he said.
“After making Khasi medium at the college level, they will be able to take all papers in their own language,” he added.
Also present during the campaign include deputy chief ministers – Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar, party leaders, workers and supporters.
 president Dr DRL Nonglait said on Monday at his first campaign meeting for the Shillong Lok Sabha by-election in Nongshillong, Eastern West Khasi Hills.){kind=link}