Chief Minister Pramod Sawant slammed the demand for equal status for Romi Konkani raised in the Legislative Assembly by Aam Aadmi Party's Velim MLA Cruz Silva, alleging political motives and attempts to divide the community. “The demand is being made for the sake of politics, there is no genuine love for the language’’, said CM on the floor of the House while highlighting that his government has been giving grants to Dalgado Konkani Academy which espouses the cause of Romi Konkani.
Besides Cruz Silva, Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas, Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa, Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo and Opposition Leader Yuri Alemao backed the discussion. Art and Culture Minister Gawde dismissed the issue as ‘minor’ while the CM, in his reply maintained that the Official language issue was long settled in the year 1987.
The Romi script has a rich history and dates back to 1556 when the first catechism book was printed in the Roman script. Renowned writer and activist Shenoi Goembab began his Konkani literature mission through Roman script and wrote 15 books in that script. The first Konkani vocabulary and grammar in Roman script was formulated in 1570. Cut into the 20th century, in September 1962, the Konkani Bhasha Mandal came into existence. In the current space, despite the odds, there are an increasing number of books being written in Romi.
Much water has flown down the rivers of Goa since 1987, and Romi Konkani which co-existed with Devanagari all along, albeit without official recognition, survived despite the challenges it faced. Shooting down the proposal, now, using a communal perspective is uncalled for. What is needed is a meaningful debate and engagement. The common man needs to know where is the politics, and who are the politicians behind the language issue. And what does it cost the government of the day? Are the colonial linkages bothering someone, or is the community associated with it that is causing a headache?
Making a charge of political influences that are driving the call for Romi appears misplaced when 33 gram sabhas have already moved resolutions across panchayats in support of Romi Konkani getting an equal status, and the number could shoot up in the weeks to come. Interestingly, many Devanagari proponents have expressed solidarity with those fighting for Romi. The script undoubtedly has remained buried in the sands of time, but why should it be deprived of recognition, when it belongs to the same family?
The government of the day must dispel all political or community linkages, look at Romi from a neutral perspective and give it the recognition it deserves. It is unfair that literary works in Romi get no recognition.
Goa may be a tiny State but its diversity and communal harmony have been a shining example for all. People have found peace irrespective of religion, caste, creed and language. The Official Language Act 1987 provides that Konkani (in Devanagari) shall be the official language and Marathi shall be used for all or any official purposes. Amending the law to accommodate Romi and give it an equal status to the existing Devanagari would in no way divide people. On the contrary, it would reflect the diversity of the language.
The push for Romi may be coming 37 years after Konkani got the official status, but it is never too late. It’s time political leaders steer away from politics of language and spare a thought for those treated as step-sons of Mother Konkani.
