Traditional chiefs and women's groups in Meghalaya on Wednesday voiced their anger over the the Delhi Golf Club issue where a woman wearing a Jainsem, a dress worn by the indigenous Khasi women, was asked to leave.
Traditional chiefs petitioned the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes urging for an investigation into the Delhi Golf Club issue, while the Meghalaya State Commission for Women and prominent women organisations jointly wrote to Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijju urging him that the erring management of the elitist club should be taken to task for the affront.
The Delhi Golf Club had apologised to a member whose guest from Meghalaya was asked to leave the club for wearing a Jainsem and said that disciplinary action against the erring staff "is in process".
On Sunday, Tailin Lyngdoh, a governess, had gone to the Club along with her employer Nivedita Barthakur after they were invited for lunch by a club member.
Some 15-20 minutes into the lunch, two Club officials asked Lyngdoh to leave the table and the Club saying her dress was a "maid's uniform" and also allegedly hurled racial abuse.
"We urge your urgent intervention to investigate, inquire, bring to justice and to report to the President of India, who shall cause the reports to be placed before both houses of Parliament on this grave injustice against our tribal Khasi woman by the Delhi Golf Club," Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya Spokesman John F. Kharshiing said.
In a letter to National Commission for Scheduled Tribes chairperson Nand Kumar Sai, Kharshiing pointed out that the non-fulfilment of the national commitment and failure to comply with the numerous directives from the commission to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, regarding the implementation of the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement, is the cause for "constitutional discrimination" against the Khasi Jaintia and Garo people by the majority of India.
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"We also draw the commission's urgent intervention to bring about much required amendments to Article 338A so as to include a charter of tribal rights and to make submission of reports before Parliament time bound," he said.
The Meghalaya State Women's Commission which held a meeting with prominent women's organisations, has unanimously condemned the "despicable act of discrimination and racism" and lack of grace on the part of the management of the Delhi Golf Club.
"The comments made by the management on the attire of Lyngdoh has gravely insulted and hurt the sentiments of the Khasis, a tribal community in Meghalaya. Further, the comments made violate the social and cultural rights of Lyngdoh," the commission chairperson, Theilin Phanbuh told IANS.
In a Khasi society which is egalitarian, all Khasi women wear the Jainsem which is the traditional attire of the Khasis and the same is worn by the Khasis in India and abroad, she said.
"It (Jainsem) represents the identity of a woman who wears it every day and it is the most modest, dignified, graceful, versatile and elegant attire. India is a land of unity in the midst of diversity and as such it is unfortunate that the management of the Delhi Golf Club cannot make a distinction between a traditional Indian attire and that of a neighboring country," Phanbuh said.
The Jainsem has been showcased in many fashion shows including the Lakme Fashion Week as well as the Fashion International London Fashion Week, World Intellectual Property Organisation, United Nation, Geneva including other shows.
"It is unfortunate that the world is aware and appreciates the Jainsem whereas our Indian brethren are ignorant of the same," Phanbuh said.
On Tuesday, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma had urged the Union Home Ministry to file a case against the Delhi Golf Club for the racial abuse on Lyngdoh.
"All legal options available according to Scheduled Tribe Prevention of Atrocities Act 1989 and more will be taken advantage of so that such behaviour is not repeated," Sangma said.
Rijiju said he had told the Delhi Police to follow up the case seriously. "Discrimination of any form is not good for India, it must end," he tweeted.
Expressing its strong resentment at the humiliation of Lyngdoh, has to undergo at the club, the powerful North East Students' Union (NESO) said, "The people of North East are already feeling alienated due to the step motherly treatment of the different governments at the Centre and these kinds of incidents will only alienate the people further if no corrective steps are taken."
"People in mainland India should understand that India is not a homogenous country and should not expect us to ape the so-called majority but we are proud of our own distinct identity, our dress, our food habits, our way of life and we will not allow anyone to try and enforce otherwise," NESO Chairman, Samuel B. Jyrwa said.
--IANS
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