Sir, Kindly give publicity to the following press release.
Dr. Pratap Naik, S.J. Director Thomas stephens Konknni Kendr [EMAIL PROTECTED] Condemnation of Parishad's dangerous objectives Mandd Sobhann wishes to register its unequivocal condemnation of the All India Konkani Parishad's declared objective, namely - 'One Language, One Script, One Samaj'. This slogan smacks of the fascist ideology. We in the Konkani movement always believed in and worked for 'unity in pluralism'- pluralism of caste, creed, religion, region, dialect, script etc.. Now if the logic of the Parishad's ideology is extended, it would read - 'one language, one script, one dialect, one religion, one samaj'. Globalisation also advocates and practices the same theory of 'one language, one culture, one world', bulldozing in the bargain, all other cultures and languages other than the one it promotes. As a result, the precious cultural beauty and variety of the world stands destroyed. In the 2 meetings the Parishad has already organised in the implementation of this dangerous ideology, it has laid bare its real motive, namely, of imposing the 'Devnagari' lipi on the people of Karnataka who read and write Konkani only in the 'Kannada' lipi and who have also opted for the Kannada lipi to teach their children Konkani in Karnataka schools. This high-handedness of the Parishad not only rides roughshod on the constitutional right of the Konkani of Karnataka, but also threatens to destroy the much valued unity of the Konkani people. Unity cannot be achieved by destroying local/regional pluralisms, be it of 'lipi' or 'boli' and enforcing one variety on all others. By accepting and respecting pluralism alone, unity is possible. The Parishad does not have a chance to succeed, simply because it does not have legal or moral authority, nor does it have jurisdiction and capacity. Impositions of all kinds, anywhere in the world, have always met with resistance, have been repulsed and defeated. The Parishad's ideology is dangerous. Its motives deplorable. Its actions condemnable. If the Parishad persists with this misadventure, all self-respecting Konkanis will be mobilised to befittingly reply. Mandd Sobhann implores Konkanis to - 'defend pluralism, preserve identity and through mutual respect build unity'. Rony Crasta (Secretary) Mandd Sobhann
