CLP for equal status to Marathi, Roman Konkani

In a strategic decision, the Congress legislature party, which met today soon after the state assembly was adjourned sine-die, has decided to accord official language status to Marathi as well as Konkani in Roman script.

Highly placed sources in the state Congress party told The Navhind Times that the issue of according official status to Marathi and Konkani in Roman script was debated in the meeting held in the chamber of the Chief Minister, Mr Pratapsing Rane at which the members deliberated at length on the issue before arriving at consensus.

The sources further said that though some members expressed reservations on the move, they agreed to abide by the majority decision in the interest of the party, particularly in view of forthcoming elections.

The state government had declared Konkani in Devanagri script as the sole official language of the state, while Marathi was allowed to be used for all official purposes. Ever since the government decision on according official status to Konkani in Devanagri script the protagonists of Marathi have been demanding similar status to that language.

Of late the lovers of Konkani in Roman script have been leading an agitation seeking equal status to Konkani written in Roman script and had given a deadline to the government to make its stand clear on the issue. The deadline issued by the agitators ended last week.

The sources further said that party leadership was of opinion that the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party was trying to derive mileage by championing the cause of Marathi, while tacitly supporting the proponents of Konkani in Roman script in an attempt to divide the Catholic community — who generally use the Roman script and support the Congress — and alienate it.

Besides, some other political parties and disgruntled politicians (including some Congressmen) were also trying to fish in troubled waters by supporting the cause of the two languages and inciting passions among the lovers of these languages, said the sources adding that the Congress has now decided to end the controversy over languages once for all.

The party by its decision to accord official status to Marathi has shown to the Marathi lovers that it was not anti-Marathi as was being projected by the opposition in an attempt to win over Marathi lovers on its side, said the sources adding that those who were trying to woo the lovers of Konkani in Roman script would also find themselves in odd position now with the CLP decision.

By another major decision that the CLP took, the ruling party has decided to give option to the parents and students with regards to studying of English in primary classes, particularly in standard first. Various other developmental issues were discussed at the meeting.

The sources in the Congress also said that party leadership has tried to take the winds out of sails of the opposition by its bold decisions, which will have far reaching consequences. The party is preparing to face the electorate in the forthcoming general elections to the state assembly, due in less than a year.