Team Herald
PANJM: Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch (BBSM), at its first public meeting on Sunday, warned the government of serious consequences if it failed to stop grants to English medium schools before the start of the new academic year in June. Almost 3,000 people attended the public meeting, which was held in the constituency of Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar.
Former Chief Minister Parrikar, who has taken the stand not to stop grants to English medium schools, was criticized by almost every speaker.
Pundalik Naik stated that the Congress government had created a mess in the education system. He further said, “The present situation is the same situation of 1990 under Education Minister Shashikala Kakodkar. It’s time for Parsekar to create history, as was created by Kakodkar, by supporting primary education in the mother tongue.”
He added, “BJP leaders have lost their balance. I encourage and support the ones who burnt effigies of MP Narendra Sawaikar.”
BBSM leader Subhash Velingkar applauded those at the meeting, stating that the people did not bow to the immense pressure tactics of the BJP.
“The BJP govt cheated us on its promises of 2012. The BJP fooled the people of Goa at the behest of the archbishop, who gave the govt five MLAs, who are not from the party cadre,” said Velingkar.
BBSM member Uday Bhembre stated, “On one hand, the government is saying that it supports the mother tongue, and on the other hand, it gives grants to English medium schools. Whose mother tongue is English? BJP was openly saying that English would harm the society. Why did it change its stand when it came to power? We warn the government that it will face grave problems if grants are not stopped before the next academic year.”
In an attack on Parrikar, Arvind Bhatikar stated that every Saturday and Sunday, “narad” (a character in the Hindu mythology known to create rifts) came to Goa.
“I call him Parrhitlar (Parrikar plus Hitler). We should praise Environment Minister Rajendra Arlekar for not even fearing ‘narad’ (referring to Parrikar). BJP knows what is right. All BJP karyakartas should join BBSM,” said Bhatikar.
BBSM has resolved to hold public meetings in all constituencies to protest the MoI policy.
