PANJIM/MARGAO: The demand for equal status for Konkani in Roman script in the Official Language Act gained further momentum with five more panchayats passing resolutions on Sunday, calling for amendments to the Act to ensure justice and fair representation for the script alongside Devanagari.
The panchayats which demanded equal status to Romi Konkani include Raia, Rachol, Davorlim-Dicarpale, Merces and Cortalim.
At the Raia gram sabha, the resolution seeking equal status for the Roman script for Konkani was moved by Rosario Fernandes, a villager.
Responding to the resolution, Sarpanch Peter Quadros said that the panchayat at its executive meeting in the past has already passed the resolution in this regard.
The Rachol gram sabha chaired by Sarpanch Joseph Vas, also resolved to advocate for equal status for the Roman script in the Official Language Act, reflecting a desire for greater linguistic inclusivity.
Diana Tavares, a social activist and villager, addressing the issue of the Roman script, advocated for its recognition and equal status in the Official Language Act.
She argued that amendments to the Act are necessary to ensure justice and fair representation for the Roman script.
Speaking to mediapersons, Sarpanch Vas confirmed that all proposals put forth by the villagers were approved and resolutions were passed during the gram sabha.
The Davorlim-Dicarpale gram sabha, while passing a resolution advocating for equal status of the Roman script in the Official Language Act, emphasised the need for its recognition alongside other scripts.
Merces and Cortalim gram sabhas also passed resolutions seeking justice and fair representation for the Roman script.
It may be recalled that the issue also had come up in the monsoon session of the Goa Legislative Assembly. However, replying to a question from MLAs Cruz Silva and Venzy Viegas, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had said that there is no proposal to grant equal status to Roman Script.
Calangute VP writes to CM, seeks official recognition to Romi Lipi
MARGAO: After receiving support from several panchayats in Salcete taluka, the Calangute Village Panchayat, in a letter to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and the Commission for Linguistic Minorities in India, has requested that Konkani in Roman script be granted equal status alongside Devanagari under the Official Language Act.
The letter emphasises the need for official recognition of the Roman script, reflecting the concerns and desires of the local community.
Sarpanch Joseph Sequeira urged the government to recognise the Roman script for Konkani, highlighting that the majority of people in Calangute use and prefer to read and write in this script.
It is pertinent to note that following resolutions by several panchayats across Goa advocating for equal status for the Roman script, the Navelim village panchayat has also written to the Commission for Linguistic Minorities in this regard.
In its letter, the panchayat has requested the Commission to intervene in the matter and support their call for official recognition of the Roman script alongside Devanagari.
Initially, Manuel S Cardozo, member of Global Konknni Forum (GKF), proposed the inclusion of the Roman script for Konkani to the Calangute panchayat. The proposal was discussed and unanimously approved at the gram sabha held on July 14.
GKF president Kennedy Afonso appealed to all other panchayats to get the resolution passed in their respective villages.
“GKF also requests all Romi Konkani lovers to come forward to organise small corner meetings in their respective villages, to create awareness on these issues so that Roman Script gets its rightful place in the Official Language Act,” he said.