Marathi leaps forward The MGP tried its best to merge Goa with Maharashtra, but did not succeed .The original stalwarts, founders abandoned the party and joined National party.They had their moments of glory and disappointments and are almost non entity. Then the language issue gave them a face saver of sorts that Marathi shall be also used as associate language. It was kept in cold storage thus far. THEIR LOVE FOR Marathi did not dampen or disappoint their spirits. Hence they stirred up the issue of MOI., Some misguided Catholics misunderstood their s strategy and hoped that extending support to the regional language, Marathi protagonist would promote schools and Konkanni language and culture They are sadly mistaken,living in fools paradise of make believe attitude. BJP to avoid label of liars and double speak in taking a decision as per cabinet decision and assurance to fasting MOI representatives,preferred to delay the healing wounds and vertical divide. The Supporters of MOI kept the heat on with MGP creating confusion to stay in reckoning and relevant, The BJP in catch 22 situation, caught on the horns of dilemma planned to mollify them by granting Rs 400/per student grant enrolled in Konkanni and Marathi schools The earlier sop of huge grants had no takers and hence stands withdrawn.The Marathi primary schools are closing with regular frequency due to lack of strength. Therefore a new plan was hatched to teach BJP a lesson with bait of elections near at hand, but everybody knows that this threat is a paper tiger , as CM asserted that grants would be continued to the minority schools . Now another diabolic plan is afloat in moving a private members bill to give Marathi status of official language on the same plan as Konkanni.Though Konkanni is an official language, its use in administration has made no headway. The C, M . could not be seen dithering or be labeled as stumbling block to the cause of Marathi to send an open message that could be interpreted to his disadvantage. Fortunately there is an amendment that may serve to provide scope for fermenting trouble.This is a clear divide to enter through back door. Another war is brewing up and fight to finish between Marathi and Konkanni supporters will lead to bitter controversies and boiling blood.The argument about number of Marathi papers and circulation number of readers is not convincing argument in favour of Marathi language as official language without comparison with English dailies and subscriber figures, besides other weeklies, magazines etc .It is a fact that there is a floating and settled Marathi speaking population, which should be excluded. Those that supported BJP to utter in a change must now rue the roost and be warned about their sinister moves to save their skin, not the interest of Goa and Goans
Nelson Lopes Chinchinim