Khasi Students' body demands PM Modi to include Khasi language in 8th Schedule

SHILLONG: In a letter to India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi dashed off on November 25, the Khasi Students' Union (KSU) urged the PM to include the Khasi language in the 8th schedule of the Constitution of India as "it has been one of the longstanding aspirations of the Khasi people."

"The standardized Khasi language with numerous dialects spoken different parts of the state especially in the districts of Ri-Bhoi, West Khasi Hills, East Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hills, West Jaintia Hills, and East Jaintia Hills is a thriving language withe approximately fifteen lakh speakers in the state," the KSU pointed out in its missive, adding, "The language is also being used and spoken by other Khasi tribals in the states of Assam, Mizoram, Manipur, Tripura, and the country of Bangladesh."

ALSO READ: Assam: ‘Constitution Day’ celebrated in Hailakandi district

Making a case for its inclusion, the KSU further added that the language is an Austro-Asiatic language endowed with a script of its own deriving from the Roman script.

"The language at present is being studied and taught right from the kindergarten to the doctoral level," the KSU said, adding that in 1948, right after independence, the Gauhati University of Assam recognized it as a medium of study.

The students' body also reminded Mr. Modi that the demand to include the languege in the 8th Schedule is a "genuine demand" and has been made since the 1960's. The KSU itself, the note said, has put forth requests to include it since 1992.

"The KSU seeks the PM intervention to facilitate the much-needed inclusion of the Khasi language in the 8th Schedule so as to ensure that the language survives in all aspects and continues to progress, especially in the academic perspective," it added.

To support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us HERE.

Download:                                                                  

The Inside Northeast app HERE for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.

Do keep following us for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.