Konkani groups oppose official language status for Marathi

Representatives of various organisations at the meeting.

MARGAO

Representatives of several Goan organisations on Sunday passed a resolution urging the government not to consider any demand to grant Marathi the status of an official language on par with Konkani. They also appealed to the government not to amend the Official Languages Act under any pressure.

The resolution was adopted at a meeting attended by representatives of 37 Goan organisations working for the preservation and promotion of Konkani language. The meeting was held at the Konkani Bhasha Mandal in Vidyanagar, Margao. Organised by All India Konkani Parishad, the meeting was chaired by the Parishad’s President, Fr Mouzinho de Ataide.

Representatives from various organisations shared their views on steps that Konkani activists should take in areas such as education, culture, language development, employment and other related fields.

Speaking at the meeting, veteran Konkani leader Uday Bhembre said that the main criterion for granting a language official status is whether it is spoken by the majority of people in a state.

He said that in Goa, only Konkani fulfils this requirement and that this is why it was granted official language status.

The meeting also decided that a delegation would meet the Chief Minister to convey the views and concerns expressed by the representatives of the Konkani organisations.

Fr Ataide delivered the introductory address, while Parishad Working President Chetan Acharya proposed the vote of thanks.