Team Herald
MARGAO: Following a resolution passed at their recent gram sabha, the Navelim panchayat has decided to formally request the Commissioner of Linguistic Minorities in India (CLM) to grant official script status to the Roman Konkani script alongside the existing Devanagari script. This move aims to amend the Official Language Act to include the Roman script, reflecting the linguistic and cultural needs of the community.
To date, over 35 panchayats across Goa have passed similar resolutions in their gram sabhas advocating for equal status for the Roman script. However, the Navelim village panchayat is the first to take the proactive step of formally writing to the CLM regarding this issue, setting a precedent for other panchayats.
The Global Konknni Forum, along with supporters of the Roman script from Navelim, have expressed their appreciation for the village panchayat’s move.
In her letter to the CLM, Navelim Sarpanch Lucia Carvalho said that the resolution advocating for official status for the Roman script was passed unanimously during the gram sabha held on July 7.
It is pertinent to note that Carmello Carneiro, representing the Global Konknni Forum, recently moved a resolution highlighting that the Konkani Roman script faces injustice as it has been deprived of official status. This call for recognition has resonated widely, leading to several panchayats, including Loutolim and Taleigao, passing similar resolutions on the matter. The movement initiated by the Global Konknni Forum is gaining increasing support from across the State.
Carneiro specifically requested the Navelim gram sabha to adopt a resolution urging the CLM to address the perceived discrimination against the Roman script. He proposed that Navelim become the first gram sabha to formally advocate for the Roman script to be granted official status alongside the Devanagari script through an amendment to the Official Language Act.
Reacting to Navelim’s move, Jose Salvador Fernandes, Secretary of the Global Konknni Forum, expressed his satisfaction with their proactive stance. He commended Navelim for being the first to formally write to the CLM regarding the Roman script and urged other panchayats to follow suit.
