MARGAO
In an interesting development, Kennedy Afonso, President-designate of the Global Konknni Forum, which was spearheading the movement demanding equal status for Konkani in Roman Script, has tendered his resignation.
After Kennedy submitted his resignation on the Forum’s Executive Committee group, the Forum’s founder members, who met in the city here on Saturday, decided to accept the resignation.
The meeting further unanimously resolved to dissolve the present Executive Committee and form a new Committee either by calling a meeting of the members or by holding elections.
Sources informed that differences between the President-designate and founder members cropped up over a host of issues, including certain clauses in draft Constitution.
Sources said some of the members also pointed out that the slogan ‘Amdarak Bhett-Kodel Zay vo Romi Lipi Zay?’ sounds more like a threat and is not in good taste for the Forum.
At the meeting held on Saturday, members present decided to remove Clause 16B(d) in the draft Constitution. This controversial clause sought to empower the President with the right to expel any member from his/her primary membership if he/she defames the Global Konknni Forum or works against the objectives of the Forum, ratified by any three members of the Managing Committee.
Sources said the members present at the meeting also decided to apply for the registration of the Forum.
Addressing the members at the meeting on Saturday, sources informed that Domnic Fernandes said although the Forum had started on a positive note, it later started losing track and was not working in tune with the aims and objectives stated in the first meeting at Ravindra Bhavan Black Box on 25th May, 2024. He said the Forum had taken a political turn, which was not at all in line with its aims and objectives.
He also brought to notice that the designated President was trying to sideline the Executive Committee members and was not taking them into confidence when it came to making collective decisions.
Antonio Alvares stated that he had done thorough homework on the legal aspects and had kept the details ready since he was entrusted with the responsibility of looking after the legal part of the Forum.
Members have called for spreading awareness through the tiatrs staged in Goa and elsewhere to take the message directly to the people.
