After disturbing Goa’s peace in the name of religion, Subash Velingker and his group are again trying to create division, this time through language. They want Marathi to be made Goa’s official language, but Konkani already holds that place. Goans love our mother tongue Konkani just as people in Maharashtra love Marathi. Such demands are not only unrealistic but also dangerous, as they aim to weaken Goa’s identity. Their larger goal seems to be pushing Goa towards becoming a district of Maharashtra. Goans must not stay silent against this. The government too should not allow anyone to create communal tension. It is unfair that Goans are booked under FIRs for protecting our language and rights, while those spreading division are left unchecked with political support. Goa is home to people from many states who come here for work, but this does not mean every state’s language can become Goa’s official language. Konkani is our language, our identity, and it must be respected. Marathi is the official language of Maharashtra, and we respect that. But in Goa, Konkani is official. Let us not allow anyone to divide us in the name of language or religion.
