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MOI ISSUE
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Two from govt
don't agree
with Arlekar
MARGAO: In a development which showed signs of a divide within the ruling combine over the MoI,
two Independent MLAs from Salcete supporting the BJP-led government, including Fisheries Minister, Avertano Furtado on Tuesday termed the statement made by Panchayat Minister, Rajendra Arlekar on the contentious MoI issue as “wrong”, even as they demanded continuance of grants to the English medium primary schools.
Velim MLA Benjamin D’Silva even went to the extent of condemning Arlekar’s statement, saying that it’s because of such statements that people accuse the government for the U-turns on various burning issues.
>> See pg 2
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THE GOAN NETWORK
MARGAO: The Rashtriya Swamsevak Sangh leadership on Tuesday hit hard at the BJP on the contentious MoI issue, saying the organization will go all out to defeat the ruling party in the 2017 election if the government does not stop grants to English-medium schools from the coming academic year.
RSS Salcete Chief Kiran Nayak told the media at a briefing called by Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Samiti (BBSM) that the RSS will not really bother which party comes to power in the event the BJP is defeated at the hustings. He warned that the RSS will not work towards the defeat of the BJP, but ensure that the ruling party’s tally of seats in the Legislative Assembly is reduced to 6-7.
Replying to a question whether the RSS will really oppose the BJP in the coming election when they share a common ideology, Kiran said, “The BJP is part of the RSS and shares a common ideology. But the BJP seems to have forgotten its ideology. If the BJP does not get its acts together and realise its mistake by discontinuing the grants to English-medium schools from the coming academic year, the RSS will oppose the BJP in the election.”
Meanwhile, showering praises on Panchayat Minister and BJP leader, Rajendra Arlekar, for his bold stand on the contentious MoI issue, the Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch (BBSM) has warned of intensifying its ongoing agitation if the BJP-led government does not take a cue from Arlekar and stop the grants.
BBSM core member, Uday Bhembre, further said that the organization will weigh various options at its disposal to defeat the BJP in the 2017 assembly election if the ruling party does not mend its decision before the coming academic year.
Flanked by RSS leader Kiran Nayak, Deep Karapurkar, Suhas Kamat and others at a briefing, Bhembre welcomed Arlekar’s stand that it was a mistake on part of the BJP government to continue grants to English-medium primary schools. “Arlekar has shown his moral strength by admitting that it was a mistake done by the BJP government on the MoI issue. BBSM had been demanding the same demand from day one. Arlekar is a thinker and a BJP worker. The time has come for the BJP to put back the party stand on the MoI back on the rails by taking cognizance of Arlekar’s stand,” Bhembre said.
When asked whether BBSM will expect Arlekar to be pro-active with his stand or will be content with just a statement on the issue, Bhembre said “We expect Arlekar to assert himself in the party and government on his stand in the interest of Goa and Goemkarpon”.
To another query whether BBSM will invite the Panchayat Minister to share its dais as part of its ongoing agitation, Bhembre said “BBSM will welcome Arlekar on its platform. His stand and our stand is one and the same.” Arlekar’s stand will give a boost to the ongoing movement, he added.
Replying to another question, Bhembre said the BBSM will now think twice before extending support to any political party or group in the 2017 assembly elections.
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Let parents decide: Dy CM
PANAJI: Parents have the right to decide and demand the medium of instruction for their children, deputy chief minister Francis D’Souza said.
Offering comments on the back of Environment Minister Rajendra Arlekar’s comments that there is no need to pass the MoI bill, D’Souza said that it was Arlekar’s personal opinion and went on to give his own opinion.
“My opinion is that parents have a right to decide. I am a strong Konkani wadi. Just because I’m a Konkani wadi, I won’t impose my ideas on others. This is democracy... you have to understand. In democracy, the majority view prevails. We have to respect the choice of the parents,” D’Souza said in comments that are likely to cause a flutter.
“Many people love Konkani but want their wards to study in English schools. Leave the choice to the parents. We have no other alternative,” D’Souza said.
D’Souza said that the government schools were shutting down because people were migrating to English schools.
“If all the children come to English schools the other schools will shut down. That is what was happening all this time. People migrated to good schools, If all schools are great, then very well, but some schools have more demand than others because they teach well,” D’Souza said.
Asked whether his views reflected that of the previous Congress Government, D’Souza said: “We have no other alternative. It will come to that.” D’Souza however said that the final decision will have to be taken by the government. “This is for the government to decide. These are my personal views. If you want the government’s views it is what the chief minister says. I love Konkani, I speak in Konkani, by I can’t have my view prevail,” he said.
