Meghalaya guv's Hindi address leaves MLAs protesting

Meghalaya Governor Ganga Prasad's address to the state Assembly in Hindi triggered protests among a section of the lawmakers today.

A Congress MLA staged a walkout, while another legislator threatened to speak in the Khasi language during the debate on the governor's address.

English is the preferred language in the Meghalaya Assembly and the Garo and Khasi languages, though notified, are used rarely.

Congress MLA Ampareen Lyngdoh staged a walkout during the governor's address in protest against the latter speaking in Hindi. There was also a discussion in the House on the issue.

Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma said it would have been appropriate for the governor, who had assumed office on October 5 last year, to address the House in a language that everyone understood.

Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) MLA Adelbert Nongrum threatened to speak in Khasi during the debate on the governor's address.

"During the debate on the governor's address, I will speak in Khasi. This is not to protest, but I feel it is important that as members of the House, we understand each and every word we say," he said.

Intervening in the discussion, Speaker Donkupar Roy said, "I request the members to kindly go through the rules, which clearly mention the use of languages."
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma told reporters, "The governor was more comfortable speaking in Hindi, which is not a foreign language. Since he (governor) is more comfortable in Hindi, he spoke in Hindi."
"His (Prasad's) qualifications say he is well educated. He stubbornly speaks Hindi and I am also stubborn in not listening to anyone speaking in Hindi."