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MARGAO: Reiterating its long-pending demand for the merger of Konkani speaking areas of Karwar, Supa and Joida into Goa, Karwar-based Goa Konkani Rajya Ekikarana Manch has asked the Goa government to file a suit in the Supreme Court for the transfer of the Karwar area to Goa.
A delegation of the Manch which is attending the three-day All India Konkani Literary conference at the Ravindra Bhavan, here, told the media it won’t take much time for the areas of Karwar, Supa and Joida to be part of Goa if the Goa government files a suit in the Supreme Court.
Addressing a press conference, the delegation pointed out that Karwar, Supa and Joida are connected to Goa and Canacona in terms of religion, culture and language.
Yeshwant Palekar said that the dream of Jawaharlal Nehru will not be complete if the areas of Karwar, Supa and Joida are not part of Goa on linguistic lines.
Saying that Konkani speaking people of Karwar, Supa and Joida are facing discrimination, neglect and injustices in the prevailing environment, the delegation said that the government of Goa should lodge its claim for ceding geographically adjacent Konkani-speaking areas of Karwar and Supa. “These areas not only can be parts of Goa on linguistic grounds, but it would be advantageous for the State, economically,” said Sandesh Bandekar.
“These Konkani-speaking people of all religion are numbering around two lakh. The three talukas are rich in natural resources and have hydro-electric and nuclear power project. Presently, Goa does not produce electricity. If these three talukas are merged with Goa, our state will be self-sufficient in electricity and will get the advantage of Karwar port,” said Prakash Palekar.
Noted Konkani writer, N Shivdas said that the long-standing demand of the Konkani-speaking people of Karwar should be looked into. “Right now, Goa’s population is put at 15 lakh, of which a significant percentage comprises of outsiders. There’s an influx of North Indians into Goa every now and then. In such circumstances, Goans will have to decide on the persistent demands of Konkani speaking people from Karwar for the merger of these areas into Goa,” he said.
