SHILLONG, July 26 - A Khasi woman who marries a non-Khasi man will now be deemed a non-Khasi. Her offspring, too, will be considered non-Khasi. However, no such law will apply to a Khasi man marrying a non-Khasi woman.
A new law in this regard was introduced by the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) here on Wednesday by amending the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Khasi Social Custom of Lineage) Act.
The amendment states: �Any Khasi woman who marries a non-Khasi as well as her offspring(s) born out of such marriage(s) shall be deemed as non-Khasi (sic) who shall lose the Khasi status and all the privileges and benefits as a member of the Khasi tribe who cannot claim preferential privileges under any law.�
The Bill defines a non-Khasi as �a person not belonging to indigenous Khasi tribe classified as Scheduled Tribe under the Constitution (ST) Order, 1950 (Part III-Rules and Orders under the Constitution) Part XI-Meghalaya.�
Newly-elected KHADC Chief Executive Member HS Shylla said that the Khasis are a minority community, and that they are in danger of being swamped by immigrants.
He stated that many non-Khasis are exploiting the land tenure system and also carrying out business activities to enjoy the benefits bestowed on the Khasis under the Constitution.
The Bill with the amended section was introduced yesterday and unanimously passed by the members of the Council on the same day. Owing to the �urgency of the situation�, a delegate will meet the Governor on Friday to seek his assent.
Asked about Khasi men marrying non-Khasis, Shylla said that the matter would also be taken into consideration in due course of time. �A time will come when we will have to do the same with Khasi men,� he added.
