MARGAO
In view of the Goa Legislative Assembly Session scheduled from 21 July, the Global Romi Lipi Abhiyan has placed two demands / resolutions before the Legislators of the five political parties, namely BJP, Congress, Goa Forward, Aam Aadmi Party and Revolutionary Goans party with a plea to propose two resolutions in the ensuing session and get them passed.
The GRLA has also made a strong case for the setting up of the Minorities Commission in the state to address the issues plaguing the minorities.
Addressing the media, GRLA president Kennedy Afonso said the Abhiyan request the MLAs from these five political parties to propose and pass Resolution to introduce Romi Konknni into the schools of Goa.
Saying this is a fundamental Constitutional demand to protect the Roman script from extinction, Kennedy said Roman Script has been in use for more than 450 years in Goa and was responsible for the survival of the the Konknni language, during the colonial rule.
“Roman Konknni is specially used by the minority Catholic community, for religious and all other purposes. Article 29 ( 1) and article 30 of the Indian constitution, guarantees the right of linguistic minorities to conserve their language script and culture, and to establish and administer educational institutions”, he said.
He added; “The New Education Policy 2020 , emphasis on promoting multilingualism , flexibility and choice in education . Romi Konknni to be taught in schools is a long standing demand of the minority Catholic community in Goa . It's time the govt acknowledges the cultural and historical importance of Roman Script in Goa, particularly among the Catholic community, and recognises the benefits of introducing Roman Script Konknni as an option in the schools of Goa. This will promote linguistic diversity and inclusivity ,and foster cultural preservation, and enhance students choice and flexibility.
Gobal Romi Lipi Abhiyan has also urged the government to develop the curriculum and text books , teachers training and make provision for resources and infrastructure.
On the demand to establish the Minorities Commission of Goa, the GRLA recalled that the government of India had in 1992 established the Minorities Commission of India, which empowered State Govts to establish a State Minorities Commission to protect and promote the rights of minority communities in Goa. “Article 30 of the Indian constitution, guarantees the right of the Minorities to establish and establish Educational institutions. This will promote social harmony and inclusivity”, he said.
He added: “After almost 33 years ,successive governments have not established the Minorities Commission in Goa. In 2012 the BJP govt has put it on its election Manifesto. It was later proposed in the house by the BJP , but the Bill never saw the light of day ,as it was shelved . GRLA request the BJP govt and the opposition parties to get this resolution approved in the forth coming Assembly, by allocating the necessary funds , and ensure effective functioning of the Commission to addresss minority concerns”.
