Meghalaya State Anthem row: CM says anthem composed purely on language provisions

The controversy started as the anthem exludes the Jaintia language

Amidst the controversy surrounding the release of the Meghalaya State Anthem, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, today said that the languages in the state anthem was based provisions, the law and notifications related to official languages.

The controversy started as Meghalaya is subdivided into three regions: The Garo Hills, the Khasi Hills and the Jaintia Hills but the State Anthem excludes the Jaintia language while including the Khasi and Garo languages.

Speaking to the media, Sangma said, “Our basic point is that there is a provision for associate official languages which has two members. Based on that the state anthem comprises of the official language, which is English and associate official languages, which are Khasi and Garo.”

“We have to base any decisions that we make on provisions, laws and notifications and hence we have gone purely on the basis of that. If we deviate from that we may have to give-in to others who may demand tomorrow. Other tribes may also demand their language’s inclusion and if we refuse they will say that you have given to this or that language and hence justification becomes difficult for the government,” he added.

Meanwhile Opposition Congress chief and Shillong MP Vincent H Pala has alleged that the issue revolving around the State Anthem is an agenda of the NPP and BJP to create confusion among the tribes and to divide people. He said that the government cannot deprive people based on just official language provisions.

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