Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: In the aftermath of a significant meeting in Goa, controversy has erupted over remarks made by the newly appointed Goa BJP President, Damu Naik, regarding the status of Marathi as an official language. His statement that the issue of Marathi being the official language has been resolved has been met with strong objection from the Marathi Rajbhasha Nirdhar Committee. The committee, which has been advocating for Marathi’s status as an official language for decades, views Naik’s comments as mocking their efforts and contradicting the BJP’s previous stance on the matter.
Damu Naik’s recent statement has sent shockwaves through the community of Marathi language supporters in Goa. The Marathi Rajbhasha Nirdhar Committee has expressed its deep disappointment and objection, pointing out that such assertions are not only baseless but also undermine the tireless efforts made by the committee over the years. The committee has highlighted instances where prominent BJP leaders, including former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and current central ministers, have publicly supported the cause of making Marathi an official language.
The committee’s strong objection stems from the historical context of the BJP’s support for Marathi’s official status. For instance, in 2000, Manohar Parrikar presented a bill in the Goa Assembly advocating for Marathi to be recognized as an official language. Furthermore, resolutions were passed at significant party gatherings, including one presided over by former party president L.K. Advani at a grand meeting in the precincts of Shri Dev Bodgeshwar.
The ongoing struggle for Marathi to gain official recognition has been a central issue in Goa’s political landscape, with many seeing it as a matter of cultural identity and language rights. The committee emphasizes that the BJP’s past commitments need to be honored, and any statements by its leaders should be informed by the party’s history of advocacy for Marathi.
