PANAJI
With an aim of intensifying their agitation on the medium of instruction (MoI) issue, Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch (BBSM) will hold a token agitation at 18 locations across the State on June 18. Additionally, they have also announced to hold public meetings at another eight locations.
Addressing mediapersons in Panaji on Wednesday, BBSM leader Subhash Velingkar said, “We are entering the final phase of the agitation. Encouraged by the huge response during the public meetings we held in six constituencies we can definitely call it a people's movement. In this phase, we will take up activities against the government.”
The BBSM had demanded that the grant-in-aid to minority-run English medium primary schools be stopped from the current academic year.
“The BJP-led State government has ignored our ultimatum given in June to stop the grants. Now, we will begin the second phase of the agitation with token protest at 19 locations across the State on June 18. We expect nearly 3,500 persons to participate in the same,” said Velingkar.
This agitation will be followed by demonstrations and public meetings across the State.
“We will hold demonstrations outside the programmes being attended by MLAs and ministers. This will be carried out mainly when the MLAs enter and exit the programme. We don’t have any intentions of disturbing the programme. Our main target will be the MLAs and ministers. However, three persons “ Environment Minister Rajendra Arlekar, St Andre MLA Vishnu Wagh and AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik who have openly come forward and extended support to us will be an exception to these demonstrations and protest,” he said.
The public meetings will be held at 8 locations “ Ponda, Mormugao, Margao and Canacona in North Goa and Panaji, Porvorim, Mapusa and Bicholim in July-August.
The BBSM is also mulling on announcing a political alternative for the upcoming Assembly elections.
“We have started thinking seriously in this direction will take a final decision on first week of October. The political party which strongly supports BBSM's stand and promises to make necessary changes in the policy decision of the State government only will be backed by BBSM,” said Uday Bhembre.
