PANJIM: The BJP-led government is now facing a challenge from an unprecedented quarter – Hindu priests.
The Akhil Gomantak Purohit (priest) Sangh (AGPS) has warned the government that if it fails to stop grants to English medium primary schools they will take to the streets. The association has already joined hands with Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch (BBSM) which is demanding that grants to English medium schools be stopped.
AGPS has criticized BJP over its U-turn on the pre-poll assurance of not giving grant to English medium schools.
Speaking to reporters on Wedensday, AGPS President Raju Kelkar said that due to the government’s failure to give justice to the people demanding that grants to English medium schools be stopped, they are supporting BBSM.
AGPS Executive Member Sandip Tengse said that if the government fails to meet the BBSM demand, they will take to the streets and participate in every movement against English schools.
“We will create awareness in villages wherever we get the opportunity against the wrong decision of the BJP government,” Tengse said.
“If grants to English medium schools continue the coming generation will forget Goan culture and tradition. Giving grants to English medium school is a wrong decision of the government,” Tengse said.
Interestingly, purohits are considered an integral part of BJP’s vote base.
The AGPS, an association of Hindu priests, was established in 2007 and has over 1000 members across Goa.
