Team Herald
MARGAO: In light of the 61st birthday anniversary of Konkani martyr Floriano Vaz on September 8, Konkani enthusiasts have called for due recognition of his contributions. They seek to ensure that his legacy and significant impact on the Konkani community are widely acknowledged and celebrated.
As argued by Konkani enthusiasts, particularly those supporting the Roman script, the death of Floriano Vaz played a pivotal role in advancing the Konkani movement. They contend that it was only after his passing that the government was compelled to officially recognise Konkani as the official language of Goa.
According to available records, Floriano Vaz was shot dead in cold blood on December 20, 1986, at noon, near his home in Gogol-Margao by a constable of the Gujarat State Reserve Police. This occurred during the height of the agitation that ultimately led to Konkani being granted official language status in the State of Goa.
Speaking to O Heraldo, Camilo Barretto, a councillor and local leader from the area who played a key role in installing the statue of Floriano Vaz at Gogol, stated that it is high time the government officially recognises his contributions to the Konkani language.
“Konkani received official language status, but the sacrifices made by many, including the late Floriano Vaz, remain unrecognised. I have long been calling for an official declaration from the government; Floriano Vaz should be honoured as a Konkani martyr,” he said.
He also emphasised that the contributions of the late Floriano Vaz should be made known to the younger generation.
Kennedy Afonso, President of the Global Konknni Forum, stated that they salute and recognise the priceless sacrifice of Floriano Vaz, “who paid with his blood and life to establish Konkani as the sole official language of Goa.”
“His death contributed significantly to the Konkani movement, even more than any MLA or Konknni Porjecho Avaz leaders. It was only after his passing that the government was compelled to recognise Konkani as the official language of Goa,” he added.
Afonso further claimed that during the Konkani language agitation, it was the Catholic community that was at the forefront of the movement. Like Floriano Vaz, thousands of Christians came forward voluntarily to fight for Konkani.
“36 years after his death, the question that haunts us is whether the seven Catholic martyrs and the thousands from minority communities who fought to make Konkani the official language, only for it to be defined as ‘Konkani in Devanagari script’ as stipulated in the Official Language Act? Of course not!” he added.
“The dream of Floriano Vaz and millions of Goans to place the Roman script on par with Devanagari is being pursued under the leadership of the Global Konknni Forum. We are committed to ensuring that the Roman script receives its rightful recognition in the Official Language Act,” said Afonso.
Pascoal de Chicalim, the renowned tiatr director, expressed disappointment that the late Floriano Vaz has yet to receive official recognition from the government, despite his significant contributions to the Konkani language.
“Actually, the government should have taken a stand to honour him after his death by either building a monument in the assembly precincts or acknowledging him officially. They could also have introduced a chapter in the education system about him and the seven martyrs so that future generations could learn about their sacrifices,” he said.
He further requested the Government of Goa to organise a grand official function in memory of Floriano Vaz and honour him through his immediate family members.