The ruling National People's Party (NPP), leading the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government 2.0, has actively campaigned for the by-election to the Shillong Lok Sabha constituency, even though the Election Commission of India (ECI) has yet to announce the election schedule.
The parliamentary seat fell vacant after the demise of the sitting Member of Parliament, Ricky AJ Syngkon of the Voice of the People Party (VPP), on February 19 this year.
Khasi Language Inclusion as Key Plank
NPP candidate DRL Nonglait, who also serves as the president of the Khasi Authors Society (KAS), has made the inclusion of the Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India a major issue in his election campaign. Addressing his first election meeting at Nongshillong in Eastern West Khasi Hills on Monday, Nonglait stated, "We (KAS) are for inclusion of the Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India."
He highlighted the progress made so far: "We have now been able to make Khasi an official language of Meghalaya. 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 termed this a milestone but not the final goal, saying, "The final goal is to go to Delhi," referring to constitutional recognition of the Khasi language.
Additional Issues Raised
Speaking at another election meeting in Chilliangraij, Jowai, Nonglait elaborated on his agenda: "These are some of the issues I wish to take up if the people of Khasi and Jaintia Hills elect me as their MP. Language policy, education policy and secularism are issues on which I have submitted memoranda to the government from time to time. These are the people's core concerns."
At an election meeting in Nongpoh, the headquarters of Ri-Bhoi district, NPP national vice president and Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar expressed confidence in Nonglait, stating that he would be the "voice of the people of our Khasi-Jaintia land" if elected in the upcoming Shillong Lok Sabha by-election.
