Shillong rallies for inclusion of Khasi language in 8th schedule

Thousands of Khasi, most of them students, launched a rally on Saturday in Shillong demanding inclusion of the Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

The rally was organised by Khasi Authors Society (KAS), the apex literary organisation for the indigenous Khasi-Jaintia people inhabiting in eastern part of Meghalaya.

The rally came a day after the Meghalaya cabinet had decided to table an official resolution in Assembly during the ongoing Autumn Session of the Legislative Assembly to urge the Centre to include Khasi and Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

The demand for inclusion of the Khasi language spoken by nearly 15 lakh people has been initiated in early 1970s.

"Khasi language is a subject of studies at Calcutta University, Guwahati University since the pre-independence period, which the British colonial rulers recognised the Khasi language more than any other tribal languages in the country," said Prof Antionette Kharmalki, who heads the Khasi department in the North Eastern Hills University.

(Featured Image: The Shillong Times)