MARGAO
The Global Romi Lipi Abhiyan (GRLA) has extended full support to a public meeting scheduled at Lohia Maidan, Margao, on April 19, at 4 pm, stating that Konkani, Goa’s mother tongue and official language, must be protected at all costs.
The meeting has been convened by youth leader Vishal Nogueri to safeguard Konkani as the sole official language of the State.
GRLA convenor Kennedy Afonso has appealed to all Goans and Konkani lovers, irrespective of religion, caste or creed, to attend the meeting in large numbers to ensure that Konkani retains its status.
“Konkani was declared the official language of Goa through the Official Language Act of 1987, following a long democratic struggle. Many sacrificed years of effort, and even lives, to secure recognition for our mother tongue. Today, it is our turn to rise and protect Konkani by being present at Lohia Maidan,” Afonso said.
He added that claims of Marathi being ignored are “factually incorrect”, noting that the Act permits the use of Marathi for all official purposes. “For Goans, this matter is settled,” he said.
Afonso pointed out that for the past five years, the government has allocated equal funds of Rs 3 crore each to the Goa Konkani Academy and the Goa Marathi Academy, while the Romi script receives only Rs 30 lakh. “If Konkani is the official language, greater investment must be made in all its scripts. Granting official status to Marathi is unnecessary and could harm Goa’s linguistic identity,” he said.
Referring to efforts by Marathi proponents to collect five lakh signatures to petition the President, Afonso argued that Marathi does not have sufficient support in Goa to merit official status under Article 347.
He further urged such groups to focus on reviving over 200 Marathi schools that have shut down, instead of raising divisive demands. “Blaming English-medium schools is not the solution. Parents have the right to choose the best education for their children,” he added.
