Group plans state-wide signature drive
PANAJI
Ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, the Marathi Rajbhasha Nirdhar Samiti has stepped up its campaign to unite Marathi supporters into a strong vote bank. It has renewed its demand for official language status for Marathi and warned the government to act or step down.
Speaking at a press conference, Samiti convenor Subhash Velingkar said the push for Marathi must now turn into political strength. He announced Phase 2 of a state-wide agitation under the slogan “Now or Never”, with public meetings planned in key cities such as Panaji, Margao, Ponda and Vasco.
The Samiti also plans to collect around five lakh signatures, which will be submitted to the President of India, to press for Marathi to be given co-official language status alongside Konkani.
Velingkar criticised the government led by Pramod Sawant, alleging it has repeatedly misled Marathi supporters. He pointed to the scrapping of the Rs 400 per student monthly support scheme for Marathi schools, saying it has weakened the language’s growth.
He also claimed that Marathi was not included in question papers for recent government recruitment exams involving nearly 40,000 candidates, calling it deliberate neglect by the BJP-led government.
The Samiti warned that it will intensify its agitation if its demands are not met.
