Team Herald
MARGAO: The demand for equal status to the Konkani in Roman script in the Official Language Act is gaining momentum. The Global Konknni Forum (GGF), through its Navelim Cell, has organised a public meeting at Navelim on August 18.
GGF has appealed to supporters of the Roman script to attend the upcoming meeting in large numbers as this gathering is a crucial step in advancing the movement for equal status to Konkani in Roman script in the Official Language Act.
Earlier, following a resolution passed at the Gram Sabha of the Navelim Village Panchayat, a letter was sent to the Commissioner of Linguistic Minorities in India.
The letter requested that the Konkani in Roman script be granted official status alongside the existing Devanagari script. In response to this initiative, a public meeting has now been scheduled. The meeting will be held at Cardinal Gracias Hall in Navelim
Meanwhile, speaking to
O Heraldo, several supporters of the Roman script reiterated their call for justice to Konkani in Roman script, which is used by a significant number of Goans, as well as by individuals residing in other States and countries.
“We are not against the Devanagari script, as our children are well-versed in it at the school level; however, the Roman script also deserves due recognition,” said Rosario Fernandes, a resident of Raia, adding, “It is a well-known fact that the Roman script has suffered injustice for several years.”
He questioned, “Why do the supporters of Devanagari strongly oppose recognising the Roman script in the Official Language Act?”
Roy Barretto, a resident of Salcete, also advocated for the Roman script and urged the government or relevant authorities to conduct a survey in Goa. He emphasised that such a survey would provide a clear understanding of the script’s usage and support among the population.
“What needs to be noted is that the Roman script has continued to survive despite lacking support from the government and authorities concerned,” he claimed. “Goans continue to use the Roman script in religious and cultural fields, even though it is not taught at the educational level.”
He said that it is high time the government and authorities at the Centre provide justice to the Roman script so that the Konkani language can flourish.
