Speaking as the chief guest during the 60th birthday function of the former Union law minister, Mr Ramakant Khalap, Mr Antulay lamented that the word ‘minorities’ is being used in the country in a derogatory manner and said the the use of the word ‘minorities’ is not restricted to religion but also to language.
Fortunately or unfortunately, I am the minister concerned with the minority status of the languages, he concluded.
He said that the Sections from 30 to 35 of the Constitution speak about the religious as well as the linguistic minorities.
“There are 19.5 per cent religious minorities in the state,” Mr Antulay informed, adding that the Jains too are minorities who have not yet been notified as such. “They would however receive this status soon,” he announced.
Mr Antulay said that the Hindus are in minority in states like Jammu and Kashmir and the Union territories such as Lakshadweep.
As for the national linguistic scenario, almost one third of the total population of India is in linguistic minority, the Minorities Minister pointed out, adding “out of this, 95 per cent are Hindus.”
Later, he felicitated Mr Khalap by presenting him with a citation, shawl and a shreephal. The Chief Minister, Mr Pratapsing Rane, the Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Wilfred de Sousa, the state Congress president, Mr Ravi Naik and Ms Nirmala Khalap were also present on the occasion.
Describing Mr Khalap as the true political leader who was ever ready to sacrifice his post, however high, Mr Antulay said that he would suggest the Congress president, Ms Sonia Gandhi give an opportunity to Mr Khalap to work in the Rajya Sabha. He also said that Mr Khalap has been the best central law minister ever since the time of Mr Ashok Sen.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister observed that Goans had a habit of creating issues over minor things such as Railways and airports, thus indirectly referring to the public opposition to the Konkan Railway and the Mopa airport project.
Though such trivial issues, including the issue of the state language, are politicised, the state has been making steady progress, he noted.
Mr Rane also described Mr Khalap as a true social worker, a honest colleague and furthermore a dedicated opposition leader, when Mr Khalap held the post in the past.
Dr de Sousa said that the contribution of Mr Khalap in politics, on the state as well as on the national level, is well-known to the public.
Mr Ravi Naik, the Deputy Speaker of the Maharashtra Vidhan Parishad, Mr Vasant Davkhare, the president of Vithal Rakhumai Mandir Samitee, Pandharpur, Mr Shashikant Pague and the celebrated writer, Mr Vishwas Patil also spoke.
Replying to the felicitation, Mr Khalap said that he would be very happy to witness the total implementation of various laws enacted by the state government, including those for the tenants, which were formulated during his tenure as an MLA.
Mr Khalap stated that the state language issue should be resolved and the demand of Hindus as well as Catholics should be met by according status of official state language to Marathi and Konkani in Roman script.
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