SHILLONG, Oct 16 ? Khasi and Garo, the two major languages in Meghalaya, would soon be recognised as associate official languages in the state. ?The state government has accepted in principle to recognise Khasi and Garo as associate official languages with English remaining the principal official language in the state,? Chief Minister DD Lapang told mediapersons after discussing the issue at a Cabinet meeting here on Friday.
A committee, headed by Chief Secretary PJ Bazeley with Principal Secretary GP Wahlang as convenor has been constituted to examine the matter threadbare, the Chief Minister said. ?It has been a long-felt desire of the people of the state and NGOs have time and again raised the issue,? he added.
The major languages in Meghalaya are Austro-Asiatic Khasi and Tibeto-Burman Garo and English. However, the state language is English. The Khasi language and its various dialects are spoken mainly in the districts of West Khasi Hills, East Khasi Hills, and Jaintia Hills, while Garo particularly its dialects Abeng, Achik and Awe are spoken mainly in the districts East and West Garo Hills.
The Khasi language has a very ancient lineage and has been a vehicle and cultural expression of the tribals and was among the first tribal languages of the country to be recognised for entrance examination by the Calcutta University in the year 1900. In 1919 both Khasi and Assamese languages were given recogition upto the degree level by the Calcutta University.
Calcutta University, Gauhati University, Dibrugarh University and the North Eastern Hill University have recognised the language. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has also allowed Khasi language to be taught upto doctorate level. Besides NGOs and political parties, the Khasi Authors? Association has also been fighting for inclusion of the Khasi language under the 8th Schedule to the Constitution. Members of the Authors? Association met Chief Minister Lapang recently in this regard.
The movement for recognition of the Khasi language gained momentum after the inclusion of Bodo under the 8th Schedule. So far, only Assamese and Manipuri are the two languages from the North-east under the 8th Schedule.