OLD GOA
Goa Needs Minority Commission, a forum comprising individuals from different organisations, has demanded the setting up of a minority commission for the State to address the issues affecting minorities.
Addressing a news conference in Panaji on Saturday, the members of the forum demanded that a Bill for the setting up of a minority commission be approved at the forthcoming Assembly session.
One of the members, Kennedy Afonso, pointed out that a Bill for the setting up of a minority commission was introduced way back in 2012 when the late Manohar Parrikar was the
chief minister.
“However, that was never approved and it has been lying in cold storage since then. Therefore, a Bill for the setting up of a Minority Commission has been prepared by Aldona MLA Adv. Carlos Ferreira,” Afonso stated, adding that the same needs to be passed for the benefit of the minority
community.
“For instance, our demand for recognition of Romi Konkani can be taken up through the commission,” he added, stating that the Constitution gives every community the right to protect its language, script and culture, which is not happening in Goa,” Afonso informed.
He urged all MLAs, from the ruling as well as the opposition, to support the Bill as it is of utmost importance considering the current scenario.
Another member, Iftiyaz Sheikh, outlined the reasons why the Minority Commission is needed, saying that, in recent times, the minority community is being targeted by communal elements.
Zeferino Fernandes spoke on the powers that the Commission should be granted and the criteria for the selection of its members. Mathew Almeida also spoke at the news conference.
