Calls for official language status for Marathi in Goa

Mahakavi Sudhakar Gaidhani lights the traditional lamp at the Marathi Rajbhasha Sahitya Sammelan.

Photo Credits: Anil Shankhwalker

PORVORIM
Stating that while Konkani may be on their lips, Marathi is in their hearts, President of the Marathi Rajbhasha Sahitya Sammelan G R Dhavalikar said that though Goans speak in Konkani, Marathi has been the language of business for a majority of Hindus.

“Marathi has a deep-rooted tradition in the State. It has not come from Maharashtra. Don’t discard the history of Marathi in Goa,” said Dhavalikar.

He was speaking in Porvorim at the Marathi Rajbhasha Sahitya Sammelan organised by Marathi Aase Amuchi Maiboli in association with the Gomantak Marathi Academy.

Those present on the occasion were Mahakavi Sudhaker Gaidhani, President of Marthi Aase Amuchi Maiboli Prakash Bhagat, Pournima Dessai, President of Gomantak Marathi Academy Pradeep Gaadi Amonkar. Vice President Narendra Azgaonkar, senior journalist Gurudas Sawal, Sanjay Harmalkar, Dr Gurudas Natekar and Adv Amit Sawant.

“There are seven Marathi newspapers in Goa while there is only one newspaper in Konkani. In primary schools, more students are studying in the Marathi medium than in the Konkani medium. Hence, Marathi deserves equal status along with Konknni,” said Dhavalikar.

Dhavalikar mentioned that the Goa Daman and Diu Official Language Act has conferred the status of official language to the Konkani language. “However, the Act was also enacted to give equal status to Marathi for its use for all official purposes for which Konkani is used. The BJP has got an absolute majority in the assembly and can easily move an amendment to the act and give equal status to Marathi. But there is no political will,” said Dhavalikar.

Mahakavi Sudhakar Gaydhani mentioned that Marathi ranks 10th in the list of languages with the most native speakers in the world.

“It has 70 dialects and if the words in the dialects were used in Marathi standard language, then Marathi would have been a richer language than English. It is surprising that despite the deep-rooted tradition, Marathi has still not been conferred the status of an official language in Goa,” said Gaydhani. “Marathi organisations should pursue this matter vigorously with the government till they get success.”