Shillong, Feb 4: Meghalaya’s only MP in the Rajya Sabha and NPP leader Dr W R Kharlukhi has questioned the centre on its failure to include the Khasi and Garo languages in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution even though Meghalaya has completed 50 years of its statehood, this year.

In his one minute speech addressed to the parliamentarians, Dr Kharlukhi expressed his disappointment and said that although the state had recently celebrated its 50th statehood day, yet, it still didn’t have a recognised language.

“My state Meghalaya had already celebrated its 50th statehood on January 21, 2022. Meghalaya comprises two ethnic groups – Khasi Jaintia and Garos who speak different languages. But the sad part is that despite the demand made by the people of the state and a resolution was passed in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly for inclusion of the Khasi and Garo languages in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution nothing has been done till date,” pointed out Dr Kharlukhi while addressing the chair of the house.

Taking a que from the Speaker who encouraged and favoured Members being able to express themselves in the House in their own language, Dr Kharlukhi urged the Speaker to impress upon the Government the need to include the two languages of the main tribes of Meghalaya at this time when the state has just attained its golden jubilee.