Reginaldo assures support for Romi Konkani cause, but seeks consensus

The delegation of Global Konknni Forum hands over draft bills to Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco.

Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar

MARGAO
The Global Konknni Forum (GKF) has on Monday kick-started its campaign “Meet Your MLA – Kodel Zai vo Romi Lipi Zai” by calling on Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco to seek his view on the issue and to present him the draft bills to bring an amendment to the Official Language Act.

Reginaldo told the delegation that he had in the past espoused the cause of Konkani in Roman script, both within the Assembly and outside, assuring the forum members that he would support the issue if there was a consensus.

After the meeting with the Curtorim MLA, forum president Kennedy Afonso told the media that the independent legislator had assured them he was with the people fighting for equal status for Konkani in Roman script. Kennedy, however, said Reginaldo has sought time to respond on the second draft bill regarding phase-wise introduction of Konkani in Roman script in the schools.

Reginaldo told the media that he reminded the forum delegation how he had to face a backlash over the POGO bill, adding that he did not want to make the mistake again. “I have taken up the issue of Konkani in Roman script in every Assembly session. Big leaders have come and gone. It is the people who had made them the leaders. If these leaders have failed, why we should be blamed?” he questioned.

He added: “We had raised the issue in the Assembly. Former MLA Radharao Gracias had raised the issue. We had raised the issue when we were part of Save Goa Front. The forum should not say that only Velim MLA Cruz Silva has supported the issue. We are not against Roman script. I am there to support if there is a consensus.”

Afonso said the delegation handed over the draft bills to the MLA, one to bring an amendment to the Official Language Act specifying that Konkani means both in Devnagari and Roman scripts and the other to introduce Konkani in Roman script in the schools.

“Reginaldo said he would study the issue and get back to the Forum. We told him that the forum would approach all the MLAs and bring them together to table the bill in the Assembly. We told him that we did not come to gherao him, but with a plea to bring the bill in the Assembly,” he added.

Campaign a threat to MLAs or call for action, asks Reginaldo

Is the Global Konknni Forum’s latest campaign “Meet Your MLA – Kodel Zai vo Romi Lipi Zai” a threat to the MLAs to either support the movement in support of Konkani in Roman script or face backlash from the people?

This question was raised by Curtorim independent MLA Reginaldo Lourenco when the Forum delegation called on him on Monday to submit the draft bills to bring an amendment to the Official Language Act. “I asked the delegation whether the title of the campaign, 'Kodel Zai vo Romi Lipi Zai' is a threat to the MLAs to support the campaign. Forum president Kennedy replied that I may consider it as a threat, leaving me shocked."

Kennedy later said, “We told the MLA it is not a threat. But, we told Reginaldo that he may interpret the way he likes it.”

Forum Secretary Salvador Fernandes said, “Maybe the MLAs don't like the title of our campaign. But, when elections come, we will use it and take the movement forward. Finally, we want recognition for Konkani in Roman script.”