“The Konkani Bhasha Mandal is of the first opinion that the Official Language Act should not be touched. There is a signature campaign presently underway demanding a change to the Official Language Act. Our stand is clear, please don’t touch the Act since the legislation was enacted by the then legislators after giving it a deep thought. Marathi has been given certain facilities. We have no issue with Marathi cinema, literature and even help extended to Marathi Academy”, he said.
He added: “Our appeal to those who sign in support of Marathi that they will drive the last nail in the coffin. Those who are demanding Marathi and staying in Goa are all eligible for jobs since have Konkani knowledge. Despite this, if some people are demanding Marathi, they will only open the floodgates for the youth from Maharashtra to come to take jobs in Goa”.
Saying that granting equal status for Marathi will not bestow any benefit to the Goan youth in respect of government jobs. “On the contrary, the Goan youth will only suffers losses as they will lose jobs to the youth coming from Maharashtra”, he said.
Cota further said that bestowing equal status for Marathi will also be a big loss for Goan identity, Konkani people and Konkani state.
The newly-elected KBM president addressed the media to unveil the program to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Shenoi Goembab.
To a question, Cota said the Goa government headed by then Chief Minister late Manohar Parrikar had provided grants to celebrate Shenoi Goembab’s 125th birth anniversary. “We will ask the government headed by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to extend financial help and assistance to celebrate Goembab’s 150th birth anniversary”, he added.
