Row over Ardent Basaiawmoit’s statement on reservation policy
Shillong, Feb 27: Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar on Friday sought correction to Basaiawmoit’s reference to “Khasi” alone during a debate on the Expert Committee’s report on State Reservation Policy in the ongoing assembly session.
Basaiawmoit had referred to “Khasi”, and did not mention Jaintia/Pnar, while seeking enhancement of share of reservation for the community in the state reservation policy.
The Speaker ruled that the official record must retain the term “Khasi and Jaintia.”
“I am raising the point of order on the speech made by the member from Nongkrem….the member referred to the term ‘Khasi’ and not inclusive of Jaintia. As we all know as per reservation policy it specifically reserved for Khasi and Jaintia,” Dhar said, urging the Speaker to put on record that the official classification must always be used.
Basaiawmoit, however, defended his choice of words. “I would expect the deputy chief minister to be mature enough to understand when I say the Khasis I know who, are the Khasis… I always use the word ‘Khasis’ because I want to unify the sub-tribes… we are one as a community and we are one as a tribe,” he said, adding that he saw no ill intention and did not expect a minister to raise it in the House.
Countering the argument, Dhar and Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla noted that the 1972 notification clearly mentions “Khasi and Jaintia.”
“We are not here to point fingers… whatever is discussed will stay in the record… we just want (to set the record straight), we do not want to divide,” he said.
Basaiawmoit reiterated he used “Khasi” deliberately to prevent outside forces dividing the community.
Giving his ruling, Speaker Thomas A Sangma said, “As per record it is always referred as Khasi and Jaintia, so I put the record straight.”
