Sankhali : Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said that along with Konkani, Marathi will continue to hold its co-language status in Goa and that no injustice will be done to it.
“While the number of migrants in Goa is increasing, the government has taken steps to provide employment opportunities to Goans, including making Konkani mandatory for recruitment examinations. However, he assured that Goa has a strong Marathi tradition and that those studying in Marathi will not face any discrimination,” said Sawant speaking at the inauguration of the Srijan Sangam Yuva Mahotsav organised by the Goa Marathi Academy at the Ravindra Bhavan, Sankhali.
On the occasion, Sawant released the book Gomantakacha Atmaswar Marathi by Paresh Vasudev Prabhu, editor of Navprabha.
Prabhu said Goa has a deep-rooted Marathi tradition as seen through historical records, temple inscriptions, and textual evidence, including the use of Marathi in Portuguese administration and education.
“There is need for coordination between Konkani and Marathi to counter the growing influence of English,” he said.
Goa Marathi Academy president principal Anil Samant urged the younger generation to contribute towards preserving and promoting Marathi.
Speaking about the state government making Konkani a compulsory subject for recruitment exams, Samant said that this move neglects Marathi.
The academy submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister, urging the government to reconsider the decision and reinstate equal status for both languages under the Official Language Act.
Among those present were Goa Marathi Academy vice president Chandrakant Krishna Gavas, Institute Menezes Braganza president Dashrath Parab, Srijan Sangam convenor Pournima Kerkar, and Ravindra Bhavan vice president Dattaram Chimulkar.
