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| India-Pakistan |
| Tribal politician expelled for using father's name instead of mother's |
| 2008-02-07 |
| An Indian politician has been stripped of his status as a tribesman and may be barred from contesting elections because he took his father's surname. Leaders of the Khasi tribe in the north-east Indian state of Meghalaya have told Waibha Kyndiah that he has "ceased" to be a Khasi. The Khasis are a matrilineal society and their legal code does not recognise anyone who uses a paternal surname. Mr Kyndiah was planning to contest an assembly seat reserved for tribes. The Khasis are one of the three leading tribes in Meghalaya. Mr Kyndiah was going to contest state assembly elections on 3 March from Nongkrem constituency, which is reserved for tribal representatives. |
| Posted by:john frum |