SHILLONG, April 22: Meghalaya has approved an ordinance granting official language status to Khasi and Garo alongside English, marking a significant policy shift aimed at strengthening indigenous linguistic identity and advancing their inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
The decision, cleared by the State Cabinet led by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, replaces the 2005 law that had restricted the use of both languages to associate official purposes in select districts. With the new ordinance, Khasi and Garo will now be used across government communication, administrative processes and official documentation statewide.
Officials indicated that the move is intended to go beyond symbolic recognition by improving accessibility in governance, particularly for rural and indigenous communities. The expanded use of local languages is expected to facilitate greater public participation and align administrative practices with longstanding demands for constitutional recognition.
The government also views the ordinance as a strategic step towards securing inclusion of Khasi and Garo in the Eighth Schedule, which would enable broader institutional support, preservation efforts and access to central resources for language development.
Preparations are under way to implement the transition, including the introduction of translation mechanisms, training of government personnel and phased integration of the languages into official proceedings, including legislative work.
The decision has been widely welcomed across the state, with many viewing it as a long-overdue acknowledgement of Meghalaya’s linguistic heritage and a concrete measure to safeguard indigenous languages.
