PANJIM: In a decision that has left the Goa government red-faced, RSS Goa chief and Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch (BBSM) convener Subhash Velingkar has quit ‘CM’s Felicitation Committee’ citing that BJP continues to disrespect the manch’s andolan on the Medium of Instruction (MOI).
Velingkar was appointed on the 109-member committee to felicitate Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, but given that the government is giving BBSM demands a cold shoulder, Velingkar decided to tender his resignation on Tuesday.
“I have submitted my resignation to the CM’s office. I don’t want to be a part of the committee when the government is not respecting our andolan seeking withdrawal of grants to English medium primary schools. It was earlier ex-CM Manohar Parrikar and now Parsekar dodging our demands,” Velingkar told Herald.
Though he has a personal rapport with Parsekar’s family that goes back 35 years, the current controversy led to the decision. “Our members also suggested that we should not be a part of the committee,” he added.
The BJP had formed the committee to felicitate the CM on June 5, a day after his birthday. BBSM has already boycotted all State functions since June 18 and has warned it will intensify its campaign against the government till their demands to withdraw grants to Diocesan backed schools is met. BBSM is likely to protest outside the venue where the celebrations will be held. However, there is no official communication on this.
