21/08/2025
Date : 21/8/025 : The Garoland State Movement Committee (GSMC) had the honour of meeting the 15th President of the Republic of India and the first tribal woman to hold this esteemed office, Her Excellency Smt. Droupadi Murmu, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, to present the grievances of the Garo people and the issues concerning the Garo region.
This tribal meeting was organised by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, and GSMC was privileged to be invited by Her Excellency to participate in the programme. During the interaction, six representatives from different tribal communities across India were given the opportunity to address the President of India and present their grievances. Among them, Pa Boston Ch. Marak, former Chief Executive Member of the Garo Autonomous District Council (GDC), was selected to speak on behalf of the Garo people.
In his speech, Pa Marak emphasized the urgent need for the inclusion of the Garo language in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, highlighting that the Garo language has the distinct capacity to be recognised and is rich in vocabulary and expressions. He further underscored the demand for a separate State of Garoland and stressed the importance of implementing the Agreed Text of Settlement of 2014, signed between the Government of India, the Government of Meghalaya, and the ANVC led by leaders Matgrik Pa Dilash Marak former Chairman, ANVC, Matgrik Pa Wanding K. Marak former General Secretary, ANVC. He stated that its implementation is essential so that the Garo Autonomous District Council (GDC) can receive financial assistance directly from the Government of India without interference from the State Government .In his speech, Pa Marak also highlighted the 125th Amendment Bill, introduced in 2019, urging its early review and implementation so that the District Councils can receive direct funding from the Centre.
The demand for Garoland is historic and longstanding, dating back to 1895 when Late Matgrik Sonaram R. Sangma, a patriotic Garo leader, first raised the call for a separate homeland during the British regime, well before India’s Independence Movement under Mahatma Gandhi. This cause was later carried forward by Late Mody K. Marak and Late Emonsing M. Sangma, who advocated for the unification of Garo-inhabited areas in Assam (Goalpara and Kamrup) and the Mymensingh region (now in Bangladesh).
The demand for Garoland is founded on the provisions of the Constitution of India, particularly Article 3 (which empowers Parliament to create new States) and Article 14 (which guarantees the Right to Equality). GSMC asserts that the Garo people, as a distinct tribal community, are entitled to equal rights and recognition, including the right to self-governance in their own State under democratic principles.
The GSMC delegation was led by Shri Balkarin Ch. Marak, Acting Chairman; Shri Chevibirth K. Marak, Publicity Secretary; Shri Tony Balsam Ch. Marak, Assistant General Secretary; Shri Jason Tekrang M. Sangma, Organising Secretary; Shri Amrish Ch. Marak; and senior Garo leaders including Pa Boston Ch. Marak, former CEM, GDC, Tura, and Pa Thomas N. Marak from the East Garo Hills region. The delegation formally submitted a memorandum to the President of India.
Moving forward, the Garoland State Movement Committee reaffirms its commitment to the cause of a separate State of Garoland. The Committee urges all Garos to unite in this demand and, with faith in the Almighty, pledges that this movement will not cease until the goal is achieved. GSMC shall continue to engage with the highest authorities of the Government of India to pursue this rightful aspiration.
Tony Balsam Marak
Assistant General Secretary
Garoland State Movement Committee,
H. Q Tura.
