The agitation for making Konkani, the Official Language of Goa, was one of the most triumphant phases in Goan history, yet it was also one of the most painful. Triumphant, because the mother tongue of Goans, which was discriminated against by the colonial regime, and contested by Marathi protagonists, finally ascended the throne. Painful, because the preceeding about two years, were full of turmoil, agitation, violence and even deaths. Seven martyrs lost their lives prior to the declaration of Konkani as the Official Language.
Once Konkani was given Official Language status, through passage of the Goa, Daman and Diu Official Language Bill on February 4, 1987, Statehood was conferred on Goa on May 30, 1987, fulfilling the aspirations of the people expressed in the historic Opinion Poll of January 16, 1967. Except for the political and social turmoil and divisions prior to the Opinion Poll and the passing of the Official Language Bill, Goa as a State has been the most peaceful in the Indian Union, with its high literacy, high per capita income, exemplary communal harmony, high happiness index, etc. This communal harmony and peace are in fact inviting people from other States to come and have second homes or to settle in Goa.
However, a small section of people, misguided by a discarded leader, are again making an attempt to spread turmoil and disturb peace and harmony in the State by stoking regular controversies, such as the ‘Goencho Saib’ controversy and now to ‘make Marathi the Official Language of Goa’, not for the love of Marathi but only to stir the communal cauldron and spread hatred. This same element has met another in 2025, who was banned from Goa for the last 10 years, by then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. This element was also shown the political door by the voters of Panjim, when he tried to defeat Manohar Parrikar in Panjim, since he refused to listen to his diktats.
The attempt made by the MGP and other organisations, post Liberation of Goa, to project Marathi as the official language of Goa had a rationale — fear that Catholic and Hindu Brahmins would continue to dominate and discriminate against the Bahujan Samaj. Hence they made the suicidal attempt to merge Goa with Maharashtra, hardly knowing that democracy works by majority rule. That is precisely the reason why MGP came to power after Liberation. Now, when the bogey of Marathi is being raised, do these elements have the same bent of mind to destroy the State of Goa, its unique culture, identity, cherished values and ethos? All Goans speak Konkani, whether they are Hindus, Christians or Muslims. The Konkani language keeps Goans united. It protects our unity. So why are attempts made to disturb this unity by politically discarded elements?
As far back as 1963, the towering world leader and India’s First Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had the foresight to make his solemn promise to Goa, that “Goa has a distinct identity and we will retain it”.
Goans have laboured through nearly two years of agitation to attain Official Language status for Konkani, sacrificing their sweat and blood. Several hugely attended meetings at Lohia Maidan at Margao (November 10, 1985), Panjim (July 29, 1986 and December 18, 1986) have shown the support of the people for Konkani. Florian Vaz (December 20, 1986), and six other martyrs from Agassaim (December 21, 22, 1986) gave their lives for Konkani. Such as movement was never seen before and may never be seen again. The Official Language Bill was finally passed on February 4, 1987, by Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, due to the reluctance of the State government.
After facing such a tumultuous agitation which shattered communal harmony and claimed lives, do the anti-Goa elements want to reopen the wounds of the language agitation? The Official Language act makes Konkani in Devanagiri script the official language, while also providing for the use of Marathi for official purposes. So there is no need for any agitation to make Marathi the official language. In fact, the 1956 re-organisation of states was based on linguistic lines. Hence there cannot be another State with Marathi as the official language, apart from Maharashtra. The only exception is the five Hindi States, which were so carved due to their huge population.
So for the sake of Goa and Goans, in the interest of our peace, harmony, economy, safety and security of Goans and as rational civilised beings, do not open the Official Language wounds which have been buried for the last 38 years.