PONDA: Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch (BBSM) convenor Subhash Velingkar has stated that his group would not stop its “war” against grants to English medium schools, and that the BJP would not survive politically if it failed to withdraw the same.
“We will not keep quiet. We will not stop our war against grants to English medium schools. The BJP will not survive our war if it fails to withdraw the grants before June 2. Former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had made a deal for political reasons and betrayed the Goans on the MoI issue,” said Velingkar.
He continued, “Now they are giving threats to stop schemes, which the people are not bothered about and are attending the meetings of BBSM. If they don’t withdraw the grants, then the time will come for them to pack up like the Congress, as BBSM’s agitation has now become the movement of the people, and thousands of mother-tongue lovers are supporting the same.”
He said that when BBSM had approached the High Court on the MoI issue and when it issued an interim order to either derecognise schools or withdraw the grants, Parrikar had asked for a compromise.
“Taking into consideration the interest of the Diocesan schools student and the threat of closure or derecognition of 126 Diocesan Society schools, we listened to Parrikar. But instead of withdrawing grants to English medium schools, he continued to betray the BBSM leaders. With no option left, we have come out to teach a lesson to the BJP. The elections are round the corner, and our agitation will be decisive this time until grants are withdrawn,” said Velingkar.
He also accused the BJP of dividing Goans on communal lines and added, “If not, then why are grants given to only minority schools and not to all schools?”
BBSM member Adv Uday Bhembre alleged that the BJP was implementing an “antinational” policy on the MoI issue.
