Shillong: The Meghalaya Pradesh Mahila Congress has strongly emphasised that individuals who choose to take their father’s surname should not be recognised as Khasi.
In a statement, Mahila Congress president Joplyn S. Shylla made it clear, saying, “We assert that individuals who opt to adopt the father’s surname should not be classified as Khasis.”
This statement underscores the party’s firm stance on the matter, particularly in relation to the preservation of the region’s matrilineal customs.
The party has called for the continued upholding of the traditional matrilineal system, which dictates that children inherit their mother’s surname, a practice that holds deep cultural significance within the Khasi and Jaintia communities.
According to the Mahila Congress, this practice is not merely a cultural norm but the very foundation of the Khasi and Jaintia tribes’ unique identity.
Shylla further emphasized, “The organisation firmly believes that the longstanding tradition of children taking the mother’s surname must be preserved, as it is essential to safeguarding the very essence of Khasi and Jaintia traditions.”
The Mahila Congress asserts that preserving this practice is vital to maintaining the integrity of the tribes’ customs and ensuring that their cultural heritage remains intact and continues to thrive for generations to come.
In light of these concerns, the Congress has urged the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council, along with relevant authorities, to take proactive steps to reinforce and enforce this principle, thereby protecting and honoring the traditions of the Khasi community.
