Language war hots up in Goa

PANAJI: With Goa assembly elections scheduled for early next year, the issue of according official language status to Marathi is gaining momentum.

The issue has further gained significance with the followers of Romi Konkani (Konkani written in Roman script) demanding official status to their script on par with Konkani written in Devnagari script.

Marathi, Konkani and English are spoken commonly in Goa. Supporters of Romi Konkani, who are traditionally known to be Congress backers, have threatened of ‘dire consequences’ if their demand is not met.

The Official Language Act of 1987, as of now, recognises Konkani written in Devanagari script as the official language of Goa, while allowing Marathi and English to be used for official purposes.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the main opposition in the assembly, has already asked for an amendment to the Act to grant official language status to Marathi, while the Congress has demanded equal status to be given to both Konkani — written in both scripts — and Marathi.

“We are taking a note of all views expressed by different people. A decision shall be taken soon,” said state Congress President Ravi Naik after a meeting held to discuss the issue. He said that govt would resolve the “language issue before elections”.

Mr Naik and chief minister Pratapsing Rane are expected to take up the issue with Congress president Sonia Gandhi during their New Delhi visit.