‘Will ensure inclusion of Garo, Khasi in 8th Schedule of Constitution’

MP, 18 Feb 2023, Kolkata: Addressing a huge rally in Meghalaya, Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, on Saturday, pledged to raise the people’s voices and work for their hopes and aspirations. 

He also assured the residents of the Garo and Khasi Hills of Meghalaya of the inclusion of their local language in the Indian Constitution, when Trinamool forms the government there. 

Urging the people to vote for TMC to preserve Meghalaya’s diversity and unity and teach the corrupt MDA government a lesson, Banerjee pledged that if voted to power, his party would ensure that Meghalaya emerges as the number one state in the country. 

“If Bengal can fight for its rights, why can’t Meghalaya? You should be proud of your language. Have you seen your Chief Minister raise his voice for the two languages? When Trinamool forms the government, we will fight till our last drop of blood to ensure that Garo and Khasi are included in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution,” Banerjee said, addressing a public meeting at Mylliem in Khasi Hills. 

Amid unending chants from the huge crowd, the Myllliem event marked a tremendous show of strength as the crowd unanimously roared ‘vote for TMC,’ encapsulating the true desire for change. 

“This is our word to you that we will make Meghalaya top the charts in every social indicator — be it healthcare, education, or infrastructure. We will ensure that Meghalaya emerges as the number one (state) in the country in the days to come. I will be in Shillong on March 2, to celebrate the change and our victory with each one of you,” he said. 

Banerjee has been camping in Meghalaya for the past four days and has interacted with thousands of supporters during his historic public meetings in different corners of the state, including South Tura, Ampati, Williamnagar, Shillong, and finally culminating at Mylliem. He came down heavily on the hollow claims of development by the NPP-led MDA government. 

“Their integrity and sense of duty have gone down the drain. They boast and brag about running a double-engine government with the BJP’s help and support at the Centre but it pains my heart to see the roads in dilapidated condition and poor infrastructure everywhere. Meghalaya is the only state in India that does not have any medical college. It pains me to see that Shillong Medical College exists only on paper and the future of the Tura medical college is in the doldrums.” 

Banerjee said. He further slammed Chief Minister Conrad Sangma for failing to protect the people of Meghalaya and take a stand for them in the past five years. 

“Five innocent civilians and farmers were killed in Mukroh. Poor farmers, returning after work from paddy fields, were labelled timber smugglers. Do you really need a CM who doesn’t have the spine and courage to stand for the people of his state?” he asked the gathering. 

Celebrating the linguistic diversity and the richness of culture in Meghalaya, Banerjee assured the people that he would speak to them in their language soon. Banerjee is likely to accompany party chairperson Mamata Banerjee who is slated to hold an election rally in the state on February 23.  

https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/will-ensure-inclusion-of-garo-khasi-in-8th-schedule-of-constitution-509126