Team Goemkarponn
MARGAO: The Global Konknni Forum (GKF) met with Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral in his office as part of its “Amdharak bhett–Kodel zaivo Romi lipi zai” program to ask for his support for the Roman Script cause.
GKF members urged fellow lawmakers to support the Roman Script Konkani by presenting two bills that would be tabled in the Legislative Assembly.
GKF President Kennedy Afonso clarified that the first bill amends the Official Language Act (OLA) of 1987 in an effort to grant Roman Script Konkani the same status as Devanagari.
With this change, the definition of Konkani will now encompass both Devanagari and Roman Script Konkani.
According to the second bill, Roman Script Konkani would be gradually introduced in schools for students in Classes 1 through 10.
MLA Nilesh Cabral paid close attention and gave the GKF delegation his word that he will support the matter in the Assembly due to the ideals listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, not merely because it is a minority concern.
According to GKF, Cabral noted that although it was assumed that Konkani is written in five scripts, no official script was mentioned when it was added to the Eighth Schedule in 1992. Therefore, it would be against the spirit of the Constitution to favor one script over the others.
In response, GKF intends to meet with the remaining MLAs before to the next session in order to step up its movement. By revising the OLA, the forum hopes to bring all MLAs together to consider legislation that would give Roman Script equal standing.
Citing Articles 14 and 29(1) of the Indian Constitution, Afonso said, “We urge all MLAs to raise relevant LAQ questions pertaining to the Roman Script issue and be ready to present the case.”
