'Khasi language not getting recognition in Eight Schedule'

The recognition of the Khasi language, spoken by tribal people in Meghalaya, was delayed in getting enlisted in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India as there is lack of mass support demanding for the same, Sahitya Akademy member Sylvanus Lamare said here today.
"There is lack of mass support demanding the Khasi language enlisted in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India and this is the major hurdle faced by those who fought for its inclusion since 1972-73," said Lamare who is also a member to the Government constituted committee formed with an aim to look into the matter.

He said this would also include in the committee's report to the government later this year seeking mass support from all quarters.
Citing the drawback of a language not enlisted in the Eighth Schedule, Lamare said important awards like those of the Sahitya Akademi, Birla Foundation Awards would be missed by the people that speak the language.
Had Khasi been recognized and enlisted as one of the languages in the Eighth Schedule, the Sahitya Akademi member said it would have been one of the subjects that Khasi students could opt for as main subjects in civil services besides thousands of job openings that would follow suit in various government departments.

Pleading with civil societies, pressure groups and students organisations to support Khasi's inclusion in the Eighth Schedule, Lamare said he also looks forward to churches to support since they are the torch bearers in enriching the language.
While the process had started several decades back, Khasi has been recognized as the Associate Official Languages after the Meghalaya State Language Act, 2005 after it received the Governor's assent on May 1, 2005.