The Khasi Authors’ Society (KAS) has welcomed with great enthusiasm the historic declaration of Khasi as a full-fledged official language of Meghalaya, alongside English and Garo—an achievement widely seen as a decisive step toward securing inclusion in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India.
The announcement sparked celebrations across the Khasi Hills, most notably in Sohra, where a special meeting was convened at the Durbar Hall of Saisohpen on April 18, 2026. The gathering brought together leaders, intellectuals, and representatives from various organisations, all united in recognising what many described as a long-awaited cultural and linguistic milestone. The atmosphere was marked by jubilation, with speakers expressing gratitude to the government for its landmark decision while also acknowledging the sustained advocacy and commitment of the Khasi Authors’ Society in advancing the cause of the language.
Among those who addressed the gathering were Banlam K. Lyngdoh of the KAS Sohra unit; Dapbiang Warjri, President of Seng Samla Saitsohpen; Kong Ribashisha Kharwanlang, President of Seng Kynthei Mawmluh; Pabok Diengdoh, Education Secretary of FKJGP Sohra Circle; Dr K. D. Ramsiej, Vice President of the KAS central body; Reebokstar Diengdoh, President of KSU South West Khasi Hills; Marremdor Syiem, Syiem Khynnah of Hima Sohra; Titostarwell Chyne, MDC Sohra; and Dr D. R. L. Nonglait, President of the KAS Central Body.
Speakers collectively articulated the aspirations of the Khasi people to see their mother tongue elevated to constitutional recognition, emphasising that the present development is both a culmination of decades of effort and the beginning of a more demanding journey ahead.
In his keynote remarks, Dr Nonglait struck a note of cautious optimism. While celebrating the achievement, he underscored the multifaceted challenges that accompany language development—particularly in literature, education, administration, and legislation. He stressed the urgent need for educational boards, colleges, and universities to integrate Khasi as a major subject of study, thereby strengthening its academic foundation.
Dr Nonglait further highlighted the necessity of producing a comprehensive body of literature across disciplines, including career-oriented and competitive examination materials. He pointed out that true linguistic empowerment would be realised only when Khasi candidates are able to engage with all fields of knowledge in their own language.
Reflecting on past practices, he noted the irony that indigenous communities often had to rely on English for official communication even among themselves—an issue that the new policy begins to address. He called upon scholars, academicians, and professionals across sectors to actively adopt Khasi in their respective domains, ensuring its relevance not only at the state level but also in national and global contexts.
The meeting concluded with a renewed collective resolve to transform this recognition into a sustained movement—one that would secure for Khasi its rightful place in the constitutional framework of India while nurturing it as a vibrant medium of knowledge, identity, and cultural expression.
