Team Herald
PANJIM: Amidst the ongoing fight on the Medium of Instruction (MoI) issue, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Saturday said the government is not interested in politicising the language issue and hence prefers to distance itself from the argument.
“We don’t want to politicise the language issue nor do we want to fall in any argument now,” Parsekar said, while inaugurating the ‘Sankalp Sohala’ organized by Goa Marathi Academy this morning.
The statement comes two days after Parsekar had indirectly hinted at maintaining distance on the issue until the 2017 Assembly elections. The issue of MoI has been haunting the BJP-led government, with its decision to continue grants to 137 Diocesan schools not going well with the pro-Marathi/Konkani lovers.
The contentious issue is likely to play a major role during the Assembly elections, due next year.
The Chief Minister, asserting the need for a healthy dialogue between the State official language supporters, said the government is committed towards giving equal opportunity and rights to Konkani and Marathi. “Both the languages play a vital role in the development of the society, both need to have a healthy dialogue,” he said.
Speaking about the Marathi Academy, Parsekar said the academy should work towards development and progress of Marathi in the State.
He urged the Academy officials to ensure it is kept open for all and not just Marathi lovers.
