Romi script row: GKF pushes back against Konkani Parishad’s Devanagari-only stand

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Team Herald

MARGAO: The Global Konkani Forum (GKF) has launched a scathing attack on the All India Konkani Parishad (AIKP), accusing it of harbouring a hidden agenda to promote Devanagari script at the expense of other Konkani writing systems. GKF President Kennedy Afonso, suggested that AIKP should be renamed as "All India Devanagari Parishad To Finish All Scripts" (Akil Bharatiya Dusrio Lipi Kabar Korpachi Parishad).

The controversy erupted after AIKP convenor Fr Mousinho Athaide stated that while other scripts could be used for writing, literary awards would be restricted to works in Devanagari script only. Afonso said this stance directly contradicted AIKP's earlier claims of not discriminating against any Konkani script.

The GKF also challenged statistics presented at the AIKP session by Professor Ganesh N Devy, who claimed that 1,500 to 2,000 Konkani books are published annually. According to Afonso, official records at the Central Library, where all published books must be legally deposited, show that Goa's total annual book production across all languages does not exceed 300 volumes. He noted that Kannada publications number around 300 annually, while Konkani in Nagari script accounts for approximately 50 books, raising questions about the exclusion of Kannada works from literary awards.

Responding to AIKP's earlier openness to discussions with GKF on the script issue, Afonso asserted that Fr Athaide's categorical opposition to amending the Official Language Act for granting equal status to Roman script and its introduction in schools made any dialogue futile.

GKF further emphasised that AIKP's recommendations held little relevance since the final authority to amend the Official Language Act rests with the Goa government. Afonso then cited recent developments, including the numerous gram sabha resolutions in favour of the Roman Konkani script, as evidence of growing public support for script equality. GKF was also critical of AIKP's position on Roman script in the education system.

Looking ahead, the GKF announced plans to meet with Maand Sobhann in Mangalore on November 3 to discuss organising an All Konkani Scripts Adhiveshan in Goa, aimed at promoting "Equality in Diversity" for all Konkani scripts. This initiative, Afonso said, stands in stark contrast to “AIKP's mission to establish a Devanagari monopoly”.

Afonso added that AIKP should rebrand itself as the All India Devanagari Konkani Parishad, arguing that a truly representative AIKP could only be organized with equal respect for literature in all Konkani scripts.

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