TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Even as Romi script supporters warned of an agitation similar to the one which gave Konknni the official language status, if the decision to constitute a separate award for Konkani literature in Roman script was withdrawn, Kala Academy Chairman Vishnu Wagh on Tuesday said the body’s decision had been taken after a comprehensive study and was not politically motivated.
He alleged that this was being opposed by a certain section of people who have ‘vested interests’ in the name of Konkani and that this section of people had a conspiracy to ‘boycott’ the section of people who spoke, wrote and followed Konkani in Roman script.
Earlier the four organizations working for Konkani language in Roman script ~ Dalgado Konknni Akademi (DKA), Jagotik Konknni Songhotton, Romi Lipi Action Front and Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG) joined hands supporting the decision taken by the Kala Academy and said that they would leave no stone unturned to see that the decision is not reverted.
This recent controversy of Konkani in Roman script and Konkani in Devnagri script started with Kala Academy’s decision to constitute a separate award for Konkani literature in Roman script. Goa Konknni Akademi had strongly opposed this move arguing that that this would lead to division of Konkani language on the basis of scripts.
“There was a demand from Romi Konkanni writers and associations. So we took this decision,” Wagh told a crowded press conference Tuesday, stressing that Konknni in the Roman script was being used for long and is still continues to be used.
Meanwhile, supporting Kala acdemy’s move, Dalgado Konakani Academy President Premanand Lotlikar said that Kala Academy giving a separate award to Konknni literature in Romi script is not new. Pointing out that Kala Academy’s move is not dividing Goa over Konkani, he alleged that the section of people lobbying for Konkani in devnagri script have created the division.
“I don’t understand the meaning of division. The division was done by the devnagri lobby in 1987. I clearly allege if they had not put ‘Konkani in Devnagri script’, this division wouldn’t have happened,” he said.
Jagotik Konknni Songhotton President Tomazinho Cardozo said that they were not against Devanagari script but want equal rights to both Romi and Devanagari scripts.
“We warn government, if the decision is withdrawn then an agitation similar to that of official language would take place. They will have to be ready for the consequence,” Cardozo said.
“I remember, before addressing the people, all these leaders, be it Uday Bhembre, or Pundalik Naik, used to plead asking me not to raise the issue of script. Even if one person had to raise this issue, there would have been a tsunami and the Devanagri script would have been washed away,” Cardozo said.
“But they betrayed us. In 1987, when the Official Language Act was passed, it was fraudulently announced Konkani in Devanagari script as the official language,” he said adding ‘still we accepted the fact and went ahead for the development of Romi script’.
DKA President Premanand Lotlikar said ‘the move of GKA is all out to destroy Konknni in Romi script’. “Romi has always been given step-motherly treatment by GKA…their current move is anti-Goan,” he added.
TAG has threatened to stage protest of all tiatrist at Kala Academy if the government reverses its decision. The organisations also pointed out that they had also extended their support to Konkani as Medium of Instruction at primary level with a freedom to choice the script.
Goa Konkani Akademi opposed Kala Academy’s decision to give a separate award for Konkani literature in Roman script stating that this decision is detrimental to Konkani language, literature and culture and will lead to division of Konkani on the basis of scripts. Akademi Chairman Pundalik Naik alleged that this decision is of Vishnu Wagh which he is trying to impose on the executive board. The Akademi has decided to lead a delegation to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar asking him to revert the decision of Kala Academy.
“Kala Academy’s decision should be that like the earlier one – one award for one language. There is no need for Kala Academy to change its decision,” said Pundalik Naik.
The pro-Roman script supporters have also decided to meet Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and other political leaders.
