KHADC turns 75: year-long jubilee opens with call to guard Khasi identity

The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) on Friday opened a year-long celebration of its 75 years, with leaders across party lines urging the community to protect Khasi land, traditions and economic interests, The Shillong Times reported.

The theme of the platinum jubilee is "Kynmaw la ka Tynrai ban neh ka Lashai", which translates to "Remember the roots to secure the future". Celebrations will run into 2027 under a steering committee set up by the council.

The opening in Shillong

The programme began with floral tributes at the statue of Rev. JJM Nichols Roy, the Khasi leader credited with shaping the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which created autonomous district councils in the North East. A drum ensemble, a prayer service and cultural performances followed. Former council secretaries and employees, as well as traditional herbal practitioners, were felicitated.

What the leaders said

KHADC Chairman Strong Pillar Kharjana credited Nichols Roy with securing constitutional safeguards for the Khasi people. He said that since the council was set up on June 18, 1952, it has framed 15 Acts and 14 sets of rules and regulations to protect indigenous rights, singling out its land laws as a key safeguard.

Leader of the Opposition Titosstarwell Chyne called for stronger autonomy for district councils and pressed for the proposed 125th Constitutional Amendment, which seeks to give Sixth Schedule councils more powers and funds. He also flagged what he described as falling participation of indigenous people in trade and commerce and asked members of the council to rise above party lines to protect the community's economic interests.

Chief Executive Member Winston Tony Lyngdoh said the milestone was a chance to honour past leaders, adding that the council's core duty of protecting Khasi traditions and identity had not changed through seven decades of political change.

Context

The jubilee opens at a time when the council is in a public tussle with the Meghalaya government over its sealing of the Shillong Peak ropeway site, an example of the overlapping powers between the state and the district councils that leaders referred to on Friday.