From: Eduardo Faleiro <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Script Controversy
The Konkani speaking population that writes in the roman script constitutes a very substantial percentage of the total Konkani population of our State. They are entitled to the same safeguards and protection available to those who write Konkani in devanagari. This is their constitutional right and it flows from art. 29(1) and several other provisions of the Constitution. Roman script does not diminish patriotism. A large number of countries that did not use the roman script have adopted it for their national languages to strengthen national unity, regional communication and all aspects of modernisation. Turkey, Indonesia and Malaysia are a few among many such countries. In Turkey and Indonesia every signboard and every communication, whether official or otherwise, is in their own national language. Hardly anybody speaks English or any other European language in those countries. The use of the national language is far more extensive there than anywhere in India. Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Nehru wanted Hindustani, written both in devanagari as well as in arabic or urdu scripts to be our national language. Gandhiji felt that hindustani in both scripts would unite North and South and Hindus and Muslims. The Congress Working Committee approved both scripts for hindustani. However, in 1945, the All India Hindi Sahitya Samelan held that hindi in devanagari script alone should be the national language. Gandhiji was dismayed with the chauvinistic drift and on this issue he resigned from the membership of the Samelan. The use of Hindi as official language in devanagari script alone was bitterly opposed in the Constituent Assembly. Ultimately, the Constituent Assembly approved it by a majority of just one vote. Riots followed and immollations of non-hindus .This is History. Those who do not learn the lessons of History are condemned to see it repeated. At present, there are several States in the country which recognise one language and two or more scripts. Arabic and devanagari are recognised as official scripts for Sindhi in Rajasthan and Gujarat. Santhali is written in Ol Chiki, devanagari and bengali scripts and all the three scripts are recognised and treated equally by the West Bengal Government. Regarding Konkani, both devanagari and the roman script should be treated at par for all purposes. However, it would be advisable and in the interest of the young students to teach konkani in schools through the devanagari script only. The reason is that children will learn the roman script through the study of English which is important for international communication. Devanagari is equally important for access to Indian culture and other Indian languages. There is some sort of allergy to Marathi among a section of the Goan population. This is the result of the virulent campaign for merger of Goa into Maharashtra in the Sixties and Seventies. With the grant of statehood and declaration of Konkani as the sole official language this phase is now behind us. Marathi has a rich cultural heritage and Maharashtra has been the home of great literary figures and social reformers. It will be in the interest of our young students, whichever their religion, to learn Marathi as an optionall language in their school education. My father wanted me to learn Marathi and I regret to this day that I did not follow his advice. Imposition of uniformity does not lead to unity. Respect for diversity does. ------------------------------------------------------------- Eduardo Faleiro is a former Union Minister
