MARGAO: In a powerful display of unity and determination, the Global Konknni Forum (GKF) held a massively attended meeting in Navelim, where two critical resolutions were passed with overwhelming support. The gathering, marked by impassioned speeches and a palpable sense of resolve, saw the Romi Konknni-speaking community rally behind demands for equal recognition of the Roman script in Goa’s linguistic landscape. The forum demanded that Romi Konkani be taught in schools by the next academic year and called for a bill to be passed in the upcoming winter assembly session granting equal status for Romi Konkani.
The first resolution directly challenges the Official Language Act of 1987, alleging script-based discrimination that the GKF claims violates their constitutional rights under Article 29(1). With unwavering conviction, the forum is demanding an amendment to the Act that would grant equal status to the Roman script alongside Devanagari, or alternatively, include a clause stating: “Konknni means Konknni written in Devnagari ani Roman script.” GKF President Kennedy Afonso stressed the urgency of this amendment, calling for its unanimous passage in the upcoming winter session of the Legislative Assembly. The forum declared that they ‘will not stop this movement’ until the government amends the Act to address their concerns.
The second resolution focuses on the educational domain, advocating for the introduction of Konkani in Roman script across Goan schools. Drawing support from the new National Education Policy’s (NEP) emphasis on local languages, mother tongues, and house languages to foster learning, the GKF is pushing for a phased implementation starting from the next academic year. This move, they say also aligns with the promise that was made by the late Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to introduce Konkani in Roman script in schools to ‘preserve and protect the script’.
“GKF therefore passes a resolution, that the Government of Goa, must remove all hurdles in the Education Department, and allow schools to teach Konkani in Roman Script in a phased manner, starting from Class 1 to Class X, from the next Academic Year, to preserve and protect the rich and glorious heritage of Konkani in Roman Script,” said Afonso.
In a significant escalation of their efforts, GKF further added that they will soon approach the National Linguistic Minorities Commission in New Delhi, where they will forward the over 40-odd gram sabha resolutions. They also added that they are in talks with a Supreme Court lawyer and will approach the courts if necessary to achieve their goals. They also have plans to meet the Education Department.
Earlier, throughout the meeting, speakers delivered compelling arguments, refuting allegations and aspersions cast against their cause, while also highlighting the historical injustices faced by the Romi script and conveying their deep-seated commitment to this fight, which they feel confident of winning.
Supporting their cause was Velim MLA Cruz Silva, who recalled how his attempt to pass a resolution on this topic was disallowed in the recently-concluded Assembly session. He pointed out that he eventually managed to initiate a discussion during the demands session of the Assembly nonetheless and that he will continue to push for their demands in the next Assembly too and with the State government.
Silva added that gram sabhas passing resolutions is not enough as he felt more work has to be done on the ground. The MLA, like many other speakers, spoke about how their community was taken advantage of in the past despite the large-scale participation of locals from Salcete taluka in the then Konkani language movement, where Konkani was made the official language, but only in Devanagari script and not Roman.
Other speakers like Michael Jude Gracias touched upon the numerous conspiracies that have been used to deny the Romi Konkani speaking community its rightful demand. Professor Antonio Alvares also hit out at terms being used by the government and those opposing their demand such as ‘politicising’ or communalising’ their demand and said this was yet another diversion.
The various speakers spoke about how Konkani writers are missing out on recognition, award and support in their fields, and also how locals applying for government jobs face discrimination and are not favoured for these posts where knowledge of Konkani language is mandatory.
The likes of Pratima Coutinho praised tiatrists and cantorists for promoting Romi Konkani. Members of the public were also encouraged to get in touch with GFK if they want their respective village gram sabha to pass resolutions on these demands too.
