SHILLONG, MAR 29: Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has been demanded to take action against tribals who are taking their fathers’ surnames as per provisions of the KHAD (Khasi Social Custom of Lineage) Act, 1997.
Participating in the budget discussion here on Thursday, National People’s Party (NPP) MDC from Nongkrem Hispreaching Son Shylla said that there are around 50,000 tribal people who are found to have been taking their fathers’ surnames.
“The executive committee should immediately serve notices to all of them and ensure they take steps to rectify this,” Shylla demanded while adding, “Because we don’t want our society to be half-matrilineal and half-patrilineal.”
Stating that Meghalaya is unique because of its matrilineal system, he said that the KHAD (Khasi Social Custom of Lineage) Act, 1997 have clearly defined who is a ‘Khasi’ and that the tribal people cannot take a father’s surname.
“If such people do so the Act also clearly states that they will no longer be recognized as a Khasi and they lose their Scheduled Tribe (ST) status,” Shylla added.
According to him, the Act should be effectively implemented in order to prevent confusion among the future generation and to upkeep maternal and paternal relations.
In his reply, KHADC chief PN Syiem admitted that the issue has to be taken up seriously by the executive committee and assured necessary action on this regard.
By Our Reporter
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