PANJIM: Once again refusing to withdraw the grants to 135 English primary schools run by the Diocesan Society of Education, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Sunday said the ruling BJP party is the most “secular” one and hence it cannot bow down before the demands of one particular section — Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch (BBSM).
Parsekar, also the State Education Minister, said though the government is of the view that the primary education has to be in mother tongue, ultimately it is the choice of parents to decide in which language the child should learn.
“As a political party, it is not possible for us to stop the grants just because a particular section is demanding it. The move is not at all secular and the BJP believes in taking all the sections together and move ahead,” Parsekar said while addressing the BJP Mahila Morcha meeting in the run up to the State Assembly elections, due next year.
“Government has take all steps to encourage and promote the mother tongue…Konkani and Marathi. We feel that primary education has to be in mother tongue…it is universal concept…but let parents decide where they should send their children…which language their child should learn,” he commented.
For the second consecutive day, Chief Minister made a scathing attack on BBSM backed by RSS Goa Prant, stating “let not someone teach us what is right and wrong on basis of religion…we are secular and for the people of Goa”.
Parsekar said that the party has managed to weed out the society thinking that BJP is a “Hindu Party”. “Over the years, we have managed to develop confidence amongst the minority class that BJP is also for them,” he stated.
“And that’s the reason that today we have six catholic MLAs and three ministers,” chief minister said.
“People’s trust on BJP has managed us to win in those constituencies where the minority population is 20 percent and also 50 percent,” he added.
Parsekar again took head on RSS’ former Chief and rebel Subhash Velingkar appealing its workers to be vocal against Velingkar, as he has now lost his protection from Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). “Enough has been spoken against us…they have crossed all their limits…we now need to counter them back,” he stated.
BBSM and RSS Goa Prant are demanding that the grants to English medium primary schools be withdrawn. Velingkar-led front has now decided to float a political alternative against BJP for the coming election.
