It is now reliably learnt that the Cristao MLAs duly supported by some Hindu Bahujan Samaj MLAs within the ruling coalition have discreetly demanded the Chief Minister Mr Pratapsing Raoji Rane and the Goa Pradesh Congress Commitee President Mr Ravi Sitaram Naik also MLA Ponda --to bring an amendment to the Official Language Act 1987 during the ensuing winter session of the Goa Legislative Assembly from 13 th February, 2006 to 17th February, 2006 to undo the damage done to Konkani language for the last over 18 years by giving recognition only to Devanagari script and not the Roman script.
The amendment plans to incorporate the words "AND ALSO ROMAN SCRIPT" in the definition of Konkani which as of now states on ly in devanagari script. Giving this information to this writer the MLA concerned from the ruling coalition INC/NCP/MGP/Independent coalition stated that he was confident that if the present Government did not bring forth the amendment then it will definitely be an issue at the next election, which in any case will be held before the onset of the monsoons, which will have a drastic negative effect on the ruling coalition especially in the Novas Conquistas which are the bastion of the INC and NCP. The MLA also noted that in principle the Leader of the Opposition Mr Manohar Parrikar were also strongly in support of this amendment, and stated that they would NOT OPPOSE any such amendment, if brought about, as they are convinced that there is some injustice meted to a section of over four lacs of the population which are conversant viz; Cristaos who are conversant with the language. This MLA also informed that the Presidents office was ceased of the representation given to him by a local group headed by Dr Joe De Souza Prof of Microbiology Goa University Ms Rhoda Almeida ex lecturer Nirmala Institute of Education and others during his visit to Goa on 18th October, 2005 and was aware of the signature campaign by Goans both in Mumbai and Goa which though does not have the overt sanction of the Archdiocese in Goa and Daman have the covert sanction of the Diocesan Society of Education. In fact the President's attention has been invited to Article 347 of the Constitution of India, wherein he enjoys powers to direct the State to allow for the use of a language spoken by a section of the population of a State It is also reliably confirmed telephonically by a priest from the "Paco Patriacal" who preferred anonymity at this juncture that there is a "clear divide among the priests" on this issue. While some non Brahmin priests blame the Diocesan Society for blinding changing the medium of instruction of their schools to Konkani "in Devanagari script" post haste only for fear of not recieving Grant in aid from the Government (it may be noted that State Government then promised aid only if schools adopt Konkani or Marathi as the medium of instruction at primary level ) While some of the senior Brahmin priests maintain that the Devanagari script should continue. Their anger against the Roman script has been partly because the Bahujan Samaj Hindu leaders like ex MLA Mr Ramakant Khalap a diehard Marathi protoganist has also supported the demand for Konkani in Roman script. But now that the writing on the wall is clear and the Church would have to face the onslaught of its followers (as it is there is a vast section of the Cristao population who despise the interference of the Church in political matters) it is promoting the signature campaign clandestinely mostly in villages because it is here that the parents of such wards cannot afford the astronomical fees for English education and are forced to teach their wards in Konkani in Devanagari script and then have their wards end up as drop outs. In fact parents in villages prefer the Konkani in Roman script or alternatively English medium with only Konkani in Devanagari script as one subject according to this priest. Hence the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman is now caught in a dilema of its own foolish decision. It may be noted further that owing to the recognition of Devanagari as the sole script even though the same is not standardised, a lot of primary teachers who were not conversant with the script were overnight were made to "teach" when they themselves were learning the Konkani language in Devanagari script --in the 125 diocesan schools which fell prey to the manipulation of a section of the Hindu Brahmins. With the recent developments in Karnataka, where the Congress led coalition is facing a vote of confidence despite its fantastic performance in December, 2005 zilla parishad elections there was a great opposition from the votaries of Konkani only in devanagari script after the Government agreed to Konkani in Kannada script. The order will be issued by the Secretary Education before February, 2005 end. Hence this too has forced the Cristao MLAs to do a rethink in introducing the amendment bill this winter session. However if the ruling coalition fails then a private members bill, will surely be introduced according to this MLA, "we need to safeguard the interests of our voters or we will be wiped out at the hustings" he stated. Incidentally this writer had spoken to MLA's Ms Victoria Fernandes Mr Francisco Sardinha, Mr Alex Sequeira, Mr Jeetendra Deshprabhu Mr Luisinho Faleiro, and sent representations to the Chief Minister on the issue. The issue was also taken up with Ms Margaret Alva AICC General Secretary looking after the Goa desk while in Goa who felt that the State Government should decide on the matter. Later this writer also discussed the issue with Mr Francis De Souza BJP MLA Mapusa and MLA Cortalim Mr Mathany Saldanha who agreed the need for an amendment to the bill. The ex MLA Mr Radharao Gracias too favoured the amendment though he preferred it to be on the lines of the one introduced by him in 1994. Needless to state it is for the coalition government to understand the seriousness of the issue as thus far the Goa Konkani Academy and the Directorate of Culture and the Goa Government at large have in the name of Konkani in Devanagari script only benefitted the Hindu Saraswat Brahmins due to lack of foresightedness of the Catholic Church and the Cristao elected representatives. For the records it may be noted that after the Sahitya Academy in New Delhi recognised Konkani as an independent language in 1975 a section of the Hindu Saraswats ensured through the Advisory Council for Konkani on 21st November 1981 that ONLY DEVANAGARI SCRIPT IS THE NATURAL SCRIPT FOR KONKANI as concetualised in 1939 at the First Konkani Parishad held in Karnataka. Godfrey J I Gonsalves Borda Margao Goa 9822158584 [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send instant messages to your online friends http://in.messenger.yahoo.com