Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Tension prevailed in Panaji on Monday after a large number of supporters of the Marathi Rajbhasha Nirdhar Samiti blocked the Old Mandovi Bridge while pressing for official language status for Marathi in Goa.
The protesters had gathered at the Kadamba Bus Stand before proceeding towards the Goa Assembly. After being stopped near the bridge, the demonstrators sat on the road, resulting in the Old Mandovi Bridge being closed to vehicular movement in both directions.
Traffic was diverted through the New Mandovi Bridge as police personnel were deployed in large numbers at the spot. Motorists were advised to use the alternate route and exercise caution.
Before the protest escalated, Marathi language agitators gave the government a five-minute deadline to respond to their request for a meeting with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
The protesters said they would wait for five minutes for a response and, failing an assurance of a meeting, would proceed towards the Assembly Complex with their demand for official language status for Marathi.
Leader Subhash Velingkar said the agitation would continue if the protesters were not given an opportunity to meet the Chief Minister. The Samiti has been seeking a resolution on Marathi’s official language status during the ongoing Assembly session.
The developments also drew political reactions. Minister Sudin Dhavalikar, when questioned by the media, expressed support for the demand raised by the protesters.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, meanwhile, said such protests are natural and are bound to take place during Assembly sessions.
The blockade caused disruption to traffic movement in the area, with authorities diverting vehicles through the New Mandovi Bridge as the protest continued.
The Marathi Rajbhasha Nirdhar Samiti has maintained that it will intensify its agitation if its demand is not addressed by the government.
