SHILLONG: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Meghalaya Cabinet Minister, AL Hek, has revealed that the Meghalaya unit of the BJP recently dispatched an official memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, earnestly requesting the constitutional recognition of the Khasi and Garo languages.
Speaking on this long-standing regional demand, Hek asserted that any language meeting the requisite statutory criteria deserves priority approval to be included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
While acknowledging that the state BJP is yet to receive a formal response from the Centre, he shared that both he and the Meghalaya BJP President have actively petitioned the Prime Minister to expedite the constitutional enlistment of both local languages without further delay.
Alongside this linguistic push, Hek expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for dispatching multiple Union Ministers to Meghalaya along with substantial financial packages and development schemes.
He emphasized that the onus now lies heavily on the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) state government to ensure the honest and effective implementation of these welfare programs initiated by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre.
He remarked that while various political parties frequently attempt to claim credit for developmental milestones in the state, the public is fully aware that the influx of major development schemes stems directly from the Central Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He pointed out that although the Prime Minister heads the NDA coalition, he represents the BJP, thereby making the ongoing development in Meghalaya a testament to the continuous support of the BJP-led Central Government.
Expressing confidence in the various state departments tasked with executing these projects, including the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Health Department, Hek noted that each sector has its own operational framework to deliver results. He urged all departments to guarantee that the tangible benefits of these schemes reach the grassroots level and the intended beneficiaries.
Dismissing any political undertones, Hek asserted that the matter is strictly about progress rather than electioneering, noting visible advancements in Meghalaya’s tourism, sports, and healthcare sectors. He further appealed to the Central Government to sustain this momentum of financial assistance and project sanctions for the holistic growth of the state, adding that the state is actively following up to bring in even more developmental projects.
Turning to local administrative policies, Hek affirmed that the BJP and the state government remain committed to pursuing the demand for the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Meghalaya. However, he strongly cautioned that any regulatory framework introduced must not cause undue harassment to citizens or adversely impact the state’s booming tourism industry.
The BJP MLA has urged the Central Government to meticulously review the ILP demand, balancing state security with the smooth movement of locals and visitors. He maintained that the ILP should not function merely as a tool of restriction but must incorporate smart regulations that benefit both the state and travellers, ensuring Meghalaya continues to thrive on tourism revenue.
Furthermore, he highlighted Meghalaya’s geographical reality as a vital transit state, arguing that restrictions must not disrupt interstate travel, particularly for commuters traveling between Guwahati and Silchar via Meghalaya highways.
