And it was after this strong, bloody unyielding battle in December 1986, leading to the Goa, Daman And Diu Official Language Act being passed, giving Konkani the status of official language, and Marathi to be used for official purposes, that Goa was ready for full Statehood which it got on May 30, 1987.
Marathi’s rightful pride of place was given on February 4, 1987. In the same breath in which Konkani was declared Goa’s official language, Marathi was given the status of being used for all official purposes. It was “at par” with Konkani, the language of Goa.
Therefore the wording of the resolution passed to give Marathi official status is important. It doesn’t call for Marathi to be “added” as the official language but wants the Act to be amended to give Marathi the official language status. Now this can happen only by replacing Konkani, simply because there is room for only one “language” to be “official” in the Official Language Act.
Therefore, if Konkani is under attack, Goenkarpon is under attack and the apprehension – not misplaced – is that the latest move may threaten to dilute Konkani.
There is obviously a constituency which is trying to break the status quo to cause an unwarranted turmoil. Even the Chief Minister seemed a trifle irritated at Naresh Sawal’s long-winded speech about his love for Marathi and wanted to get over backing the amendment to the resolution for public consultation moved by Panjim’s MLA Kuncalienkar.
This is the time for all parties to make a choice. It’s a simple choice really. To create discord out of harmony and unsettle a reality that has existed with no conflict whatsoever, or rise above and let goenkarpon prevail.
(Please read the full version of this piece
in the Fly on the Wall column on Page 2)
