MARGAO
“The Environment Minister, Rajendra Arlekar’s unambiguous, clear-cut, bold and principled statement that primary education should be imparted in the mother tongue of the child and that the government must stop grants-in-aid to English medium primary schools should be applauded by all right-thinking Goans irrespective of religion, caste and creed. Arlekar’s strength of character and courage to speak out his convictions in the interest of his party in particular, and the people of Goa in general should blaze a trail of honest, sincere and nationalist policies in political parties in Goa,” said Snehalata Bhatikar, Spokesperson of the Asmitai Pratishthan, Margao.
Konkani Lok Shakti also congratulated the Environment Minister for what is called as his clear-cut and unambiguous opinion that primary education should take place only in mother tongue and that the government should stop grants-in-aid to English primary schools of Diocesan Society and Arch Diocesan Board of Education.
“Arlekar’s statements should clear the endless confusion created by Parrikar and Parsekar in their hypocritical statements on MoI,” said Damodar Ghanekar, convener of Konkani Lok Shakti.
Ghanekar further expressed hope that Arlekar’s statements will set off a chain reaction in the BJP Legislative Party and in the BJP rank and file, which will compel the BJP government to stop the grants-in-aid.
Stating that Konkani Lok Shakti is fully supporting the BBSM agitation, Ghanekar exhorted the people of Goa to strengthen the hands of BBSM in their efforts to protect education in mother tongue and Indian languages and culture in Goa.
