The Seng Khasi movement, also known as the Khasi Students' Union, is a social and political movement that originated in the
Khasi Hills
The Khasi Hills () is a low mountain formation on the Shillong Plateau in Meghalaya state of India. The Khasi Hills are part of the Garo-Khasi-Jaintia range and connects with the Purvanchal Range and larger Patkai Range further east. Khasi Hil ...
region of the Indian state of
Meghalaya
Meghalaya (, or , meaning "abode of clouds"; from Sanskrit , "cloud" + , "abode") is a state in northeastern India. Meghalaya was formed on 21 January 1972 by carving out two districts from the state of Assam: (a) the United Khasi Hills and Jai ...
. The movement was founded in the 1899 by a group of
Khasi who were concerned about the loss of traditional Khasi culture and values due to the influence of
British colonial rule and
Christian mission
A Christian mission is an organized effort for the propagation of the Christian faith. Missions involve sending individuals and groups across boundaries, most commonly geographical boundaries, to carry on evangelism or other activities, such as ...
aries.
The Seng Khasi movement has had a long and tumultuous history. It began as a cultural and
social organization
In sociology, a social organization is a pattern of relationships between and among individuals and social groups.
Characteristics of social organization can include qualities such as sexual composition, spatiotemporal cohesion, leadership ...
, with a focus on preserving and promoting
Khasi language
Khasi () is an Austroasiatic language with just over a million speakers in north-east India, primarily the Khasi people in the state of Meghalaya. It has associate official status in some districts of this state. The closest relatives of Khasi ...
, literature, and art. However, as the movement grew in strength and influence, it became more politically active, advocating for the rights and interests of the
Khasi people
The Khasi people are an ethnic group of Meghalaya in north-eastern India with a significant population in the bordering state of Assam, and in certain parts of Bangladesh. Khasi people form the majority of the population of the eastern part ...
. In the early 1960s, the Seng Khasi movement played a significant role in the formation of the state of
Meghalaya
Meghalaya (, or , meaning "abode of clouds"; from Sanskrit , "cloud" + , "abode") is a state in northeastern India. Meghalaya was formed on 21 January 1972 by carving out two districts from the state of Assam: (a) the United Khasi Hills and Jai ...
, which was created out of the former state of Assam. The movement also played a key role in the establishment of the
Autonomous District Councils, which were created to give the Khasi people more control over their own affairs.
In recent years, the Seng Khasi movement has continued to be active in advocating for the rights of the Khasi people, including their land rights, cultural rights, and political representation. The movement has also worked to promote education and development in the Khasi Hills region. Despite its many accomplishments, the Seng Khasi movement has faced its share of challenges and controversies. It has been criticized for its sometimes confrontational approach to political issues, and for its alleged involvement in incidents of violence and intimidation.
Despite these challenges, the Seng Khasi movement remains an important and influential force in the
Khasi Hills
The Khasi Hills () is a low mountain formation on the Shillong Plateau in Meghalaya state of India. The Khasi Hills are part of the Garo-Khasi-Jaintia range and connects with the Purvanchal Range and larger Patkai Range further east. Khasi Hil ...
region, and continues to play a key role in shaping the political and social landscape of Meghalaya. The movement has historically supported greater autonomy and self-governance for the Khasi Hills region and its people. While the
Autonomous District Councils have provided some degree of autonomy to the
Khasi Hills
The Khasi Hills () is a low mountain formation on the Shillong Plateau in Meghalaya state of India. The Khasi Hills are part of the Garo-Khasi-Jaintia range and connects with the Purvanchal Range and larger Patkai Range further east. Khasi Hil ...
region, the Seng Khasi movement has continued to push for greater autonomy and self-governance. Some members of the movement have called for the establishment of a separate state for the Khasi people within India, while others have advocated for the creation of a separate country for the Khasi people (
Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council
The Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (abbreviated HNLC) is a militant organization operating in Meghalaya, India. It claims to represent the Khasi- Jaintia tribal people, and its aim is to free Meghalaya from the alleged domination of out ...
). However, these calls for greater
autonomy or
independence
Independence is a condition of a person, nation, country, or state in which residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory. The opposite of independence is the s ...
have not gained widespread support among the Khasi people, and the Seng Khasi movement has not actively pursued these goals. Instead, the movement has focused on advocating for the rights and interests of the Khasi people within the framework of the Indian constitutional system.
References
{{Reflist
Politics of Meghalaya
Khasi people