Team Goemkarponn
VALPOI: Senior Marathi Rajbhasha activist G. R. Dhavalikar has cautioned the Goa government that failing to grant Marathi co-state language status alongside Konkani by December could have electoral repercussions.
Dhavalikar was speaking at the Sarvadhara Marathi Sneha Melava held on Sunday at Shri Ram Gosamvardhan Kendra in Nanus, Valpoi. The event was attended by prominent figures including Dr. Madhu Ghodkirekar, president of the Gomantak Marathi Bhasha Parishad, novelist Chandrakant Mahadev Gawas, Marathi Asmita Sattari coordinator Vijay Naik, advocate Yashwant Gawas, and Vivek Joshi.
In his address, Dhavalikar highlighted that Marathi has historically played an important role in Goa’s administration and education, even during Portuguese rule, yet it has not received adequate recognition. Citing constitutional provisions, he said languages used in governance are eligible for official status.
He urged greater involvement from teachers and literary figures in promoting Marathi, expressing concern over their limited participation. Dhavalikar emphasized protecting Marathi-medium schools and engaging the younger generation to strengthen the language movement.
Pointing out that several Konkani movement activists had Marathi educational backgrounds and now contribute to Marathi literature, he said, “Goa’s identity lies in Konkani as a spoken language and Marathi as a language of administration.” He further warned that sidelining Marathi would undermine the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the state’s saint tradition, while stressing the continued cultural significance of Marathi theatre and its widespread use across India.
Dhavalikar recalled past political assurances in favor of Marathi, including a resolution passed at a BJP convention in Mapusa attended by L. K. Advani and support from former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. He urged Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to address the issue promptly.
Vijay Naik, in his opening remarks, said the gathering aimed to unite organisations working for Marathi to devise a collective strategy. Sarita Mhajik reviewed Marathi Asmita’s activities, while novelist Chandrakant Gawas highlighted the decline in Marathi teacher participation and suggested parental awareness could help revive Marathi-medium education.
Other participants, including Sudesh Arlekar, Datt Buva Abhyankar, Sandeep Kelkar, Gajanan Mandrekar, Vitthal Gawade, Pournima Desai, Prof. Pournima Kerkar, Pradeep Ghadi Amonkar, Vandana Joshi, Mhallu Gawas, Narayan Mahale, Vishwesh Parab, and Avit Bagle, shared their perspectives.
The programme was compered by Vivek Joshi, with Lakshman Joshi proposing the vote of thanks. Scholarships in memory of the late Mohanrao Kulkarni were awarded to students Babli Budho Gavkar and Disha Sakharam Zolambekar during the event.
