Context:

  • The state government ceremoniously released an official state anthem marking Meghalaya’s 52nd statehood day on January 21 this year.
  • The government’s notices ordered that the anthem not be played as the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the same still being prepared.
  • This ‘hold’ on the state anthem comes amidst an ongoing controversy over the languages that find a place in the song.
  • The two-minute-long anthem features segments in three languages – Khasi, Garo and English.
  • Soon after it was launched, the discontent began over the Jaintia or Pnar language for not being represented in it.

About Jaintia tribe:

  • The Pnar tribe also known as Jaintia is a sub-tribal group of the Khasi peoplein Meghalaya, India.
  • The Pnar people are matrilineal.
  • They speak the Pnar Language which is also known as Jaintia language.
  • The language belongs to the Austro-Asiatic language family and is very similar to the Khasi language.
  • The Pnar people are natives of West Jaintia Hills and East Jaintia Hills District of Meghalaya, India.
  • The original tribal religion of the Pnars is known as Niamtre.
  • Religious wise out of 4 lakh Jaintias, around 2.4 lakh (60% of the ethnic population) professed Christian faith of various denominations particularly (Protestant and Catholic) & rest remaining 1.6 lakh (40% of ethnic population) practice their original tribal religion which is called "Ka Niamtre".