PANJIM, JAN 7
The latest appointment of N Shivdas as the Chairman of Goa Konkani Academy has drawn flak from Goykaranchi Konkani Bhas, Sangit, kala Ani Sonskrutai Kendr (GKBSKSK). In a press release issued here GKBSKSK has criticized that the post of the Chairman appears to be reserved for the members of a particular community as can be inferred from previous appointments for last twenty years.
This is nothing but the systematic suppression of the minorities and sidelining of the people who sacrificed during the language agitations, says the press release.
It was expected that this time at least a Romi Konkani activists/leader will be appointed as the Chairman of the Goa Konkani Academy to give equal representation for all the sections of the society as far as the top post is concerned.
GKBSKSK had recommend names of a few Konkani stalwarts like Prof Olivinho Gomes-Vice Chancellor Goa University, Tomazinho Cardozo-ex Speaker legislative assembly, Yusuf Sheikh – Ex-Director All India Radio and Wilson Mazarello-President RKLAF but these were ignored by the present government, adds the press release.
GKBSKSK suspects hidden agenda of diluting Goan Identity in the name of Devnagiri Konkani. The introduction of Devanagiri Konkani in the Diocesan run schools has resulted in hundreds of drop outs resulting in unemployment and degrading the moral values of the societies.
The recent outburst by some leaders of the Konkani Bhaxa Mandal, and Ashmitai Prathistan criticizing Fr Pratap Naik and PWD Minister Churchill Alemao for supporting Romi Konkani at the first Romi Lipi Sahitya and Sonsvkruti Sommelon has been castigated by GKBSKSK stating that Devnagiri leaders have no right to criticize Fr Pratap and Churchill Alemao as they have failed miserably to promote and develop the Konkani language for the last twenty two years.
