Cites Jha Commission, 8th Schedule recognition of Devanagari script
Panaji: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday refused to accept the demand to include Romi Konkani in school education, stating that the issue of Konkani script was resolved by
the Jha Commission in 1962 and by the inclusion of Konkani with Devanagari script in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution in 1992.
A private member resolution moved by Congress MLA Adv Carlos Ferreira urged the government to introduce Romi Konkani in schools. He said the script has been in use for over 450 years in Goa and played a key role in preserving the Konkani language during colonial rule. He also cited Para 4.11 of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which recognises the importance of the mother tongue in early education. Ferreira tabled documents showing the use of Romi Konkani from the 1600s.
However, Sawant said the script issue was settled by the Jha Commission, the Sahitya Akademi’s advisory board in 1981, and the central government in 1992. He said the decision to use Devanagari Konkani in school education was made by experts under the NEP 2020.
“Don’t create confusion and indulge in politics on the language issue. We Goans have lived in harmony for decades. Don’t try to divide people in the name of language and script,” Sawant said. He added that even the Karnataka government gives grants to Devanagari Konkani schools.
AAP enaulim MLA Venzy Viegas said the NEP 2020 gave hope to Romi Konkani supporters and suggested forming a committee to discuss the issue. GFP MLA Vijai Sardesai said Romi Konkani is part of the cultural heritage of Goa’s Catholic minority. Opposition Leader Yuri Alemao said they were not seeking to alter the official language but to respond to present-day needs.
The resolution was defeated by a division of votes: 24 against, 6 in favour.
