There has been a renewed demand for official language status for Konkani in Romi script, just like Devanagari. Roman script supporters argue that the omission of the Roman script from the Official Language Act betrays people’s wishes.
Roman script supporters believe that this exclusion disregards the historical struggle and sacrifices made to establish Konkani as the official language of Goa.
The debate centres on whether the official recognition of Konkani should encompass both - the Devanagari and Roman scripts - reflecting the diverse linguistic and cultural heritage of the Konkani speaking regions.
Roman script supporters argue that the true beauty of our language is found in the unity amid its diversity. They believe that embracing both the Devanagari and Roman scripts reflect the rich cultural tapestry and varying historical influences within the language. By recognising both scripts, they feel that the language can better serve the people of Goa and preserve the State’s multifaceted identity.
Given the current situation regarding the script issue, it appears that the debate may persist indefinitely until a definitive resolution is reached. To achieve a lasting solution, it is crucial to consider the significant contributions of Konkani written in Roman script and the community that supports it.
The recent development, where over 33 village panchayats have resolved at their gram sabhas to demand equal status for the Roman script in the Official Language Act, introduces a new dimension to the ongoing script debate. This grassroots movement highlights a growing consensus among local bodies that the Roman script deserves formal recognition alongside Devanagari.
Supporters of the Konkani Roman script are particularly hurt by its non-recognition at the official level, as they feel this overlooks the significant contributions of the Roman script to the language’s literary and cultural landscape.
Additionally, the perceived sidelining by the Sahitya Akademi in Delhi, which is considered a prestigious body for literature, further exacerbates their frustration. The lack of introduction of the Roman script in educational institutions compounds this issue, limiting its visibility and use among younger generations.
Opponents of the Roman script cite various reasons for its exclusion from the Official Language Act and educational curriculum, ranging from historical and cultural arguments to practical concerns. However, supporters of the Roman script assert that their primary demand is for justice and rightful recognition, which they believe has been denied for the past 36 years.
The Global Konknni Forum (GKF) has been established to advance the movement for justice for the Roman script in Konkani. The forum highlights the relevance of the Linguistic Minorities Commission of India and invokes Article 29 and 30 of the Indian Constitution, which safeguard the linguistic rights of minorities. By emphasizing these constitutional provisions, GKF argues that the Roman script’s exclusion from official recognition and educational settings violates fundamental rights afforded to linguistic minorities.
“Under Article 29 (1) of the Constitution, we are alleging script-based discrimination against the Konkani language,” the GKF argues. They contend that the Official Language Act of Goa, which recognises only Devanagari as the official script for Konkani, is effectively marginalising the Roman script and its speakers.
Article 29 (1) of the Indian Constitution states that any section of citizens residing in India with a distinct language, script or culture has the right to conserve it.
In light of this, the GFK argues that the Government of Goa should amend the Official Language Act to recognise the Roman script alongside Devanagari as official scripts of Konkani.
The GKF asserts that the Roman script has endured 36 years of significant injustice and discrimination from successive governments. They argue that despite numerous promises and assurances made over the years, these commitments have consistently fallen short and remained unfulfilled.
In September 2008, the Advisory Board of the Official Language Cell of the Government of Goa recommended that Konkani in Roman script be used in government offices. According to this recommendation, Konkani in Roman script was to be permitted for communication purposes, allowing government employees to submit applications, appeals, or representations, and to receive orders or notices in Roman script.
Despite this recommendation, implementation has been limited, and currently, government communications are only available in Konkani written in Devanagari script and in Marathi.
GKF has demanded that the recommendations of the Advisory Board of the Official Language Cell must be implemented with immediate effect in all Government offices.
In 2012, the former Chief Minister of Goa, Manohar Parrikar, pledged to address four demands of the Dalgado Konknni Akademi, including the introduction of Konkani in Roman script in all schools from Standard 1 to 12. Despite this promise, the implementation of Roman script in the educational curriculum has not materialised.
GKF is demanding that the BJP government in Goa fulfill the promise made by Parrikar. They insist that Konkani in Roman script should be introduced in schools starting from the next academic year, as initially pledged.
Kennedy Afonso, President of the GKF, outlined the organisation’s current focus. Afonso emphasised that, in addition to advancing the Roman script in literature and culture, GKF is pursuing two main objectives. First, they seek to amend the Official Language Act of 1987 to grant equal status to the Roman script. Second, advocate for the introduction of Roman script in schools, proposing a phased implementation that begins with Standard I in the first year and gradually includes higher grades.
It is even prepared to pursue legal recourse to address these issues, if necessary.
According to Afonso, the inclusion of Roman script in schools and the Official Language Act will promote linguistic inclusivity.
Afonso emphasized that for the GKF, the struggle for the Roman script represents a fight for the soul, rich history, and future of the Konkani language. He expressed that GKF aims to ensure that every Goan, regardless of their script preference, feels a sense of pride in their linguistic heritage.
Afonso accused that the only obstacle seen is the negative mind set of the Devanagari lobby, which has since 1987, planned, strategized, connived to choke another script, only to protect Devanagari.
“The administration not only cheated the Roman Script lovers by discarding Romi script from the Official Language Act, but also put obstacles in the way of teaching Romi script in schools. These Devanagari proponents are ready and willing to choke the Roman script to death, but they have qualm with children sitting in two different classes, studying two different scripts, out of their own free will,” he alleged.
Afonso further argued that since children already choose between languages like Marathi, Devanagari and French, adding another script for their choice should not be problematic.
He criticised the negative mindset of those opposed to including the Roman script, asserting that it reflects a broader resistance to linguistic diversity. Afonso called on the government to intervene in the larger interest of both communities to resolve the issue
“Every time when the protagonists of Konkani in Roman script demand justice under Official Language Act, people from the Devanagari camp feel demanding justice is a political issue and a threat to the unity of Konkani-speaking people,” said Jose Salvador Fernandes, Secretary, GKF.
He stated that the lack of unity among Konkani speakers in the State is a stark reality. He pointed out that the insertion of the clause ‘Konkani means Konkani written in Devanagari script’ into the Official Language Act of 1987 was a pivotal moment that undermined the unity of Konkani speakers. According to Fernandes, this decision betrayed the 95% of Romi script supporters who had actively participated in the language agitation.
“Now that the Global Konknni Forum has come out to demand justice for Roman Script in Official Language Act, the Devanagari protagonists are misguiding people by spreading lies that Roman script has been given equal status from the beginning. If that was true, then why don’t we not see equal status to Roman Script in Official Language Act?” questioned Fernandes.
According to Michael Gracias, Konkani litterateur, the main issue in the current language controversy is discrimination on communal lines initiated by the Congress party since the Official Language Act came into force.
“Why is there opposition towards recognition for the Roman script? It is only the fear that Devanagari will be wiped out if Roman script gets official language status,” said Gracias.
He said they fear that awards at the State and national level will go to Roman script users.
He further said the beauty of Konkani language lies in the unity amidst diversity. That is the way ahead. Today, the world has become one global city and the roman script used on social mediums is the only script that keeps our Konkani language alive.
Tomazinho Cardozo, former Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly and former president of the Dalgado Konkani Academy, has highlighted ongoing efforts to secure equal status for the Roman script.
He informed that, over the years, they have made several attempts to persuade both Congress and BJP-led governments to meet these demands. Despite these repeated efforts, he noted that the promised changes have yet to be implemented, reflecting a persistent challenge in achieving recognition and equal status for the Roman script in Goa.
Cardozo acknowledged that significant injustice has been done to the community associated with the Roman script.
He emphasised that despite substantial contribution, the Roman script has not received the recognition and support it deserves.
According to Cardozo, the MLAs of both past and present governments have largely failed to demonstrate seriousness regarding the issue of Roman script recognition, with only a few exceptions.
“As per the article 29(1), we demand that equal status should be provided to the Roman Konkani script. We are not condemning any other script, but only demanding for our script. We urge to cease the discrimination done to the Roman Konkani script and appeal to the Roman Konkani script to be granted the official script status. That’s all we ask,” said Aplon Rebello, famed tiatrist and Treasurer of GKF.
Roman script supporters and the GKF have demanded that all MLAs from the linguistic minorities community should individually write to the Commissioner of Linguistic Minorities Commission Delhi, of the discrimination that the Romi script has been suffering for the last 36 years.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the government is giving grants to the Roman script (Rs 21.61 lakhs), that too to a private institution. This is only 14% of what Devanagari is getting in grants, and the Roman script is discriminated against here too. Roman Script must also get the same funding as Devanagri, feels GKF.