PANJIM: The Goa Congress warned the BJP-led government not to raise the ‘ghost of official language’ in Goa in a bid to polarise Goans ahead of the elections.
“Goa is not ready for another language agitation. Let us not bring the ghost of official language back in the State. Let us not try to divide peaceful Goa on the language issue. Let us not polarize Goans,” Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) President Luizinho Faleiro told media persons on Wednesday.
“The language agitation (of the 1980s) was soaked with blood of Goans, supreme sacrifices of thousands of people who courted arrest, were beaten up to get Konkani official status, to protect Goa’s identity. People of Goa are not ready for such an agitation now,” Faleiro, who was instrumental in fighting for Konkani language on the Floor of the House in 1980s, said.
The recently-concluded monsoon session of the State Legislative Assembly adopted a private member’s resolution to amend the Official Language Act 1987 by granting Marathi official language status on par with Konkani after public consultation.
“I would like to know what is the hidden agenda behind amending the Official Language Act? What is the ulterior motive?” he questioned.
The former chief minister said Konkani was accorded official language status to preserve Goa’s uniqueness and identity, and to give job protection to locals by making knowledge of the official language compulsory.
“Konkani should continue to be the sole official language of Goa. No doubt, Marathi language has played a great role in the history of Goa and in the socio-economic-cultural-religious life of Goa and Goans. But Marathi cannot give us the uniqueness that Konkani can,” Faleiro stated.
“Some sections, political parties are trying to raise the issue of official language directly or indirectly. The reasons they know best. But if that is the case, then it is something serious and to be worried about. Considering Goa a peaceful state, such infighting on the language issue should not be allowed,” Faleiro said.
