ROAR FOR ROMI INTENSIFIES

MARGAO
Upping the ante in support of Konkani in Roman script, the Dalgado Konknni Akademi on Saturday asserted that only equal status to Konkani in Roman script along with Konkani in Devanagari script in the Goa Official Language Act of 1987 can put an end to discrimination and injustice to Konkani in Roman script.

Addressing the media, Tomazinho Cardozo in the presence of DKA President Celso Fernandes and others termed the statements made by certain individuals that Konkani in Roman script was given official status since long in Goa and that no injustice has been done to Konkani in Roman script when Konkani in Devanagari script was given official status in the Official Language Act are false and misleading.

In fact, Cardozo said the Goa Official Language Act of 1987 does not even make a mention of Roman script of Konkani in the Act while it categorically states that “Konkani language in Devanagari script shall be the Official Language of Goa and Marathi shall be used for all official purposes.” “This means only Konkani in Devanagari script and Marathi are given official status. There is no status whatsoever for Konkani in Roman script in the Act and hence the above statement made in the press conference of Konkani Bhasha Mandal is mischievous and deceitful,” he charged.

He added: “When Goa Konkani Akademi (GKA) was established, GKA also did not give equal treatment to Konkani in Roman script and hence the literature and journalism in Konkani in Roman script suffered and the writers of Konkani in Roman script were subjected to great injustice.”

Cardozo pointed out that Dalgado Konknni Akademi (DKA) submitted memorandums to all the Chief Ministers, Ministers and all MLAs who used to win the Assembly elections on the issue of Konkani language listing 13 demands for the development of Konkani language including giving equal status to Konkani in Roman script along with Konkani in Devanagari script in the Goa Official Language Act, but in vain.

“Dr Wilfred De Souza, who was not a minister that time, told DKA delegation that he would not touch the Official Language Bill but he would see that all benefits given to Konkani in Devanagari script were given to Konkani in Roman script. As promised, Dr Wilfred tabled a resolution to that effect in the Assembly but the resolution was modified so as to give financial support only for the promotion and development of Konkani in Roman script. This resolution was approved unanimously. Because of this resolution, GKA was compelled to support the publication of books in Konkani in Roman script. No other benefits were given,” he added.

Support during CM Kamat’s tenure

Cardozo said when Digambar Kamat became the Chief Minister of Goa, DKA delegation discussed with him the plight of Konkani in Roman script and submitted the same memorandum containing DKA’s 13 demands. “He was one Chief Minister who assured the DKA delegation that he would solve 3 demands of DKA. Accordingly, the government started giving annual grants to Dalgado Konknni Akademi. He named the main auditorium of Ravindra Bhavan Margao after the Father of Tiatr-João Agostinho Fernandes. He established Tiatr Academy of Goa for the promotion, development and preservation of Goan Tiatr,” Cardozo added.

Injustice to Konkani in Roman script

Terming as absolutely false and deceitful statements that no injustice was done to Konkani in Roman script when Konkani in Devanagari script was given official status in the Official Language Act, Cardozo said that denying Official Status to Konkani in Roman script along with Konkani in Devanagari script, did not only deny justice to Romi Konkani but it also divided the Konkani community of Goa.

“When Goa Konkani Academy was established, the Committee formed to run the affairs of GKA included about 16 members. Only two were followers of Romi Konkani while the remaining 14 members were the supporters of Devanagari Konkani. Is this justice? he sought to know.

He further demanded to know whether it is not injustice when the Advisory Committee for Konkani at the Sahitya Academy, New Delhi was formed, of the 11 members, it included only one follower of Romi Konkani. “Is it not injustice when 10 per cent of the GKA staff was followers of Konkani in Roman script? Further, not even 10 per cent staff in the departments like Art and Culture, Tiatr Academy of Goa or Goa Kala Academy are from the field of Konkani in Roman script,” he questioned.