‘There is no need to go to public, MLAs are competent’
The demand is not a fresh one. Since the past 50 years the majority of Marathi supporters, who are Konkani speaking Goans, are demanding it
Herald: Why are you opposing the decision for a public consultation to amend the Official Language Act 1987?
Dhavlikar: There is no need to go public because the MLAs are competent and so far the Assembly has never gone to public to decide on any Bill or issue. The demand is not a fresh one. Since the past 50 years the majority of Marathi supporters, who are Konkani speaking Goans, are demanding it. We had given the government documentary evidence that Marathi was in use in Goa since several centuries. We don’t understand what more public opinion is needed when over the years there were several agitations for Marathi.
Naresh Sawal along with Vishnu Wagh and Lavoo Mamledar and Subash Phal Dessai are people’s representatives. Since the past two years our association is constantly following with our agitation and by taking note of this MLA Sawal presented the resolution. It is the public opinion.
Herald: Why do you feel that the official language act needs to be amended?
Dhavlikar: Because official status was not given to Marathi in 1987 even though majority use and speak it. There are around 10 Marathi newspapers, further all literature and cultural events are performed in Marathi since several centuries. The Aarthi performed before Ganesha during the Ganesh Festival is in Marathi in each of the household and even in the temples it is in Marathi. Further there is provision in Constitution of India under Article 345 that the State may adopt any one or more official languages. We need Marathi official status because Marathi is widely used in Goa than Konkani.
Herald: Was this resolution necessary after 30 years of no conflict on the issue?
Dhavlikar: As I said since the demand for Marathi is there for the past 50 years, the question of conflict does not arise. Even though Konkani was made official language, our demand for Marathi along with Konkani as official had never stopped. After the Act coming in force, there were agitations in last 30 years, we were not silent. When in 2000 the High Court of Bombay at Goa bench gave a verdict in a petition filed by Marathi Rajyabasha Prastapan Samithi and Gomantak Marathi Academy that Konkani is the only official language of Goa, the people carried out a massive agitation.
Herald: There is no clarity based on the wordings of the resolution Marathi is sought to replace Konkani or added to Konkani as the other official language. Do you want Marathi to replace Konkani or be included along with Konkani?
Dhavlikar: We never demanded to replace Konkani with Marathi. We are demanding both languages should go together and progress and Marathi be given official language status along with Konkani for the reasons cited above.
Herald: Do you realise that this sudden resolution has the possibility of seriously polarising Goan society? Is this what you really want to get electoral benefits?
Dhavlikar: Our aim is not for political mileage. Being Marathi is the oldest language used for several centuries. The demand for official status is going on for the last 50 years; question of electoral benefits does not arise. It is our cultural language and to preserve it we will henceforth also continue to demand till the bill is passed for it seeking official language status. As regards Konkani identity is concern Konkani will survive and more spoken only if Marathi exists together.
‘It is a wider issue, a consultative process is required’
Certain MLAs have raised this matter, their own friends do not support them. We have to work together for the betterment of Goa. No language should be demeaned for another language. Languages are for communicating, for making our lives easier
Herald: Was the decision to propose a crucial amendment to make public consultation as a pre-requisite to move an amendment to the Goa Official Language Act 1987, spontaneous or planned?
Siddharth Kunkolienkar : The Chief Minister has replied to this matter in the Assembly. We want to take along everyone, this is a people’s government and we want people to have a say in the manner in which Goa should be. It is a wider issue and hence a consultative process is required.
Herald: What is the stand of the party on the issue? Do you feel the Official Language Act needs to be amended?
Siddharth Kunkolienkar : There is no change from the Chief Minister’s reply. Party’s view is same as CM’s.
Herald: There is no clarity based on the wordings of the resolution Marathi is sought to replace Konkani or added to Konkani as the other official language. If that is the case, then shouldn’t the Act itself have to be amended since it currently states “language” and not “languages”?
Siddharth Kunkolienkar : Certain MLAs have raised this matter, their own friends do not support them. We have to work together for the betterment of Goa. No language should be demeaned for another language. Languages are for communicating, for making our lives easier.
Herald: Was this resolution necessary after 30 years of no conflict on the issue?
Siddharth Kunkolienkar : It is a wider issue and hence a consultative process is required.
Herald: Is there a possibility that this will polarise Goan society?
Siddharth Kunkolienkar : Goa is blessed to be peaceful with all communities living together in peaceful co-existence. Our government is working towards co-operation amongst all sections of the society.
