Shillong, June 17: A Khasi person may lose his or her community status in the event of violating provisions of the Khasi Lineage Act.
The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) made its stand clear on the contentious issue on the first day of the Council’s summer session on Wednesday.
Replying to a query, Executive Member in-charge of Legal Affairs Deity H Majaw Majaw said the Act makes it clear that Section 10 penalizes violations.
“Those who violate the Act will be deprived as Khasi community. Those who renounce themselves as Khasi community will be removed from Khasi status,” she told the House.
The EM added that if both parents are Khasi, the offspring will also remain Khasi, and affirmed “Yes” on whether the Act strengthens the custom of taking the mother’s surname.
Earlier, NPP MDC Grace Kharpuri and Opposition Leader Titosstarwell Chyne asked if persons, who violate provisions of the Khasi Lineage Act, stand to be deprived of their Khasi community status.
Kharpuri asked about action taken against those who do not take their mother’s surname under the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (Lineage) Act, 1997 as amended, while Chyne sought clarification on whether the Act strengthens the practice of adopting the mother’s surname.
