Says issue has been resolved in 1987, will convey forum’s concern to CM
Delegation of Global Konknni Forum handing over the draft Bills in support of equal status for Konkani in Roman script to Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira.
MARGAO
Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira, who represents Nuvem constituency on Friday, declined a request made by Global Konknni Forum to send a letter to the Commissioner, Linguistic Minorities, New Delhi, demanding equal status for Konkani in Roman script.
The Minister, however, assured a delegation of Global Konknni Forum headed by president Kennedy Afonso that he would convey their sentiments to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for necessary action.
Outlining his stand on the script issues, the Environment Minister said he is of the firm opinion that the issue has been resolved way back in the year 1987. Sequeira further made it clear to the delegation that as a Minister he cannot stand up in the House and talk over the Bill. He was reacting to the remark made by Afonso that they are calling on the MLAs to hand over them the Bills drafted by the Global Konknni Forum to bestow equal status on Konkani in Roman script and to introduce Roman Konkani in the schools.
“I am telling you I will not give any letter to the Commissioner, Linguistic Minorities, New Delhi, to demand equal status for Roman script. So the question of sending the letter to the Linguistic Minorities does not arise,” he added.
Assuring he would convey the sentiments of the Global Konknni Forum to the Chief Minister, Sequeira said, “Beyond that I cannot do anything. My hands are tied.”
When Kennedy sought to know why he feels that the issue has been resolved in 1987, he said, “I will be very honest. I believe the issue is resolved by keeping in mind all factors. This is my opinion. You are free to disagree. I am trying to impose my opinion on you. I have heard you. I have taken your letter. I assure you that your sentiments will be conveyed to the Chief Minister,” he added.
When GKF Secretary Salvador Fernandes sought to know whether he thinks that injustice has been done to Roman Konkani, Sequeira said, “I feel the issue has been resolved in 1987. While taking the decision, they must have seen all the scenarios.”
When Kennedy again pointed out that the decision to pass the Official Language Act was done to appease the majority community considering the violent agitation in the run up to the passage of the Act, the Environment Minister said, “I beg to differ there was any appeasement. Considering all factors, the leaders then in their wisdom must have come to a conclusion to pass the bill.”
When a GKF member pointed out that Konkani in Devanagiri script has denied jobs for youth who cannot understand and write Devanagiri in the recruitment exams, Sequeira dared to bring to his notice that examinations are being conducted in Devanagiri. “I have given 1,000-odd jobs to the youth and none had ever complained that they had to answer examinations in Devanagiri,” he said.
He dared the GKF to bring to his notice even one instance wherein examinations for jobs have been conducted in Devanagiri, to which Kennedy accepted the challenge.
Earlier, Kennedy explained to the Minister the campaign launched by the Forum to bestow equal status for Konkani in Roman script and to introduce Roman Konkani in schools, from KG 1 to Std X.
He drew the Minister’s attention to the resolutions adopted by around 50 gram sabhas across the State, who had not only demanded equal status for Konkani in Roman script, but to send letters to the Commissioner, Linguistic Minorities demanding equal status for Roman script.
