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CLP for equal status to Marathi, Roman Konkani
NT Staff Reporter
Panaji, July 31: In a strategic decision, the Congress legislature party, which
met today soon after the state assembly was adjourned sine-die, has decided to
accord official language status to Marathi as well as Konkani in Roman script.
Highly placed sources in the state Congress party told The Navhind Times that
the issue of according official status to Marathi and Konkani in Roman script
was debated in the meeting held in the chamber of the Chief Minister, Mr
Pratapsing Rane at which the members deliberated at length on the issue before
arriving at consensus.
The sources further said that though some members expressed reservations on the
move, they agreed to abide by the majority decision in the interest of the
party, particularly in view of forthcoming elections.
The state government had declared Konkani in Devanagri script as the sole
official language of the state, while Marathi was allowed to be used for all
official purposes. Ever since the government decision on according official
status to Konkani in Devanagri script the protagonists of Marathi have been
demanding similar status to that language.
Of late the lovers of Konkani in Roman script have been leading an agitation
seeking equal status to Konkani written in Roman script and had given a
deadline to the government to make its stand clear on the issue. The deadline
issued by the agitators ended last week.
The sources further said that party leadership was of opinion that the
opposition Bharatiya Janata Party was trying to derive mileage by championing
the cause of Marathi, while tacitly supporting the proponents of Konkani in
Roman script in an attempt to divide the Catholic community — who generally use
the Roman script and support the Congress — and alienate it.
Besides, some other political parties and disgruntled politicians (including
some Congressmen) were also trying to fish in troubled waters by supporting the
cause of the two languages and inciting passions among the lovers of these
languages, said the sources adding that the Congress has now decided to end the
controversy over languages once for all.
The party by its decision to accord official status to Marathi has shown to the
Marathi lovers that it was not anti-Marathi as was being projected by the
opposition in an attempt to win over Marathi lovers on its side, said the
sources adding that those who were trying to woo the lovers of Konkani in Roman
script would also find themselves in odd position now with the CLP decision.
By another major decision that the CLP took, the ruling party has decided to
give option to the parents and students with regards to studying of English in
primary classes, particularly in standard first. Various other developmental
issues were discussed at the meeting.
The sources in the Congress also said that party leadership has tried to take
the winds out of sails of the opposition by its bold decisions, which will have
far reaching consequences. The party is preparing to face the electorate in the
forthcoming general elections to the state assembly, due in less than a year
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