Team Herald
MARGAO: The Global Konknni Forum (GKF) has claimed that the Devanagari lobby is creating divisions within the Catholic community over the issue of using the Romi script.
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This assertion points to tensions surrounding the choice of script for Konkani.
“It seems that the Devanagari lobby is trying to create a split of opinion on the issue by making viral videos of statements from members of the Catholic community who support Devanagari,” said Kennedy Afonso, President of the GKF.
Referring to the statement made by Fr Ataide, Afonso said that this could lead to division among the community’s members. Afonso emphasised that such remarks might inadvertently deepen existing rifts rather than foster unity.
“My reply is that till now, 51 gram sabhas have passed resolutions in support of the Roman script, and it is their fundamental right to do so. These individuals are not against Devanagari or the community using the Devanagari script,” he said.
So, does asking for their rights mean creating division within the community? Afonso questioned.
He further remarked that, according to Fr Ataide’s statement, the issue lies not with children but with elders learning Devanagari. “Who is Fr Ataide to claim that children have no problem learning Devanagari? How can he make such a blanket statement?” he stated.
In response to another point by Fr. Ataide, he said: “It is surprising to hear Fr Ataide question the dialect of the Catholic community using Roman script.”
The GKF has appealed to the public to remain cautious and not be misled by the Devanagari lobby. “The All India Konkani Parishad is not an authority to determine which script should be promoted or taken forward,” Afonso asserted.
