Shillong: We are a non-hindi speaking community and the Government of India should know that the people of the State of Meghalaya do not understand Hindi, said Cabinet Minister Dr M Ampareen Lyngdoh on reacting to the Governor’s address in Hindi on the first day of Budget Session on Monday.
Speaking to reporters Dr Ampareen said that the Government of India should send Governors who would preferably speak the language that is spoken by the people, and it is necessary to communicate the inability of the state of Meghalaya and the citizens of our state who do not speak and understand Hindi.
“So it is important to highlight that and I am happy that it was highlighted once again this year because we need to be consistent about that, we need to make sure that the Government of India knows that the people of Meghalaya do not understand Hindi”, said the Cabinet Minister.
Reacting to the Governor’s address, Ampareen said that some Legislators were having difficulties following the language that was spoken even though the written speech was given the legislators.
On asked why she did not object when the matter was brought in the Cabinet, Ampareen replied that the speaking language in the Assembly is not the matter of the Cabinet.
“This is something we anticipated that will happen not necessarily discuss in the cabinet but there is a language barrier, the honourable Governor cannot speak any other language but Hindi but what is done is done”, she added.
Legislators of the VPP staged a walkout on the first day of the Budget Session in protest against Governor Phagu Chauhan for addressing the House in Hindi.
But no other members of any parties joined with the VPP but however the Cabinet Minister and Ampareen said even though she is in the government and has to follow the procedures but the Cabinet Minister is “grateful” that it was highlighted by the opposition.
“Despite the fact that our roles in government change and it is not unusual for the roles in government to change, it is not that as if I am in government I should also rise as I have to maintain the protocol but I was happy that it was highlighted”, added the Minister.
On asked if the Minister support the doing of the opposition VPP, Ampareen said being in the government she respect the fact that opposition raised the matter but doesn’t have to support or not support the issue.
However, the Minister deferred to answer whether she feels the government should write to the Centre in asking for an English speaking Governor, she states that she doesn’t want to speak beyond her role.
“It is a good thing to inform Delhi, it is no harm in telling the government of India to take note of this matter”, she further added.
The Minister also reiterates that the Central Government should recognise the two local languages – Khasi and Garo to be included in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution of India.
