Konkani sectarianism?

October 30, 2013 TEAM HERALD PANJIM: “Activists and workers” of Konkani have come together and formed a new movement called the ‘Konkani Kruti Samiti’ to act as an umbrella organization “for all those working in the interest of Konkani language.” Addressing a press conference, members of the newly formed organization including Adv Surel Tilve, the convenor, Yugank Naik, the secretary and other members said that for starters they had three demands relating to the medium of instruction, special awards for Romi Konkani literature and that no changes should be made to the Official Language Act. “Some selfish political forces have joined hands with the fundamental forces that divide (the society) in the name of religion under the garb of demanding an amendment to the Official Language Act. The Konkani movement and its activists will not tolerate any such attempt,” Adv Surel Tilve said. On the issue of medium of instruction, they have demanded that action be taken against the 130 Diocesan schools that shifted their medium of instruction to English despite there being a High Court order in the matter. “We want that before the end of November the government withdraws grants to schools that have chosen English as the medium of Instruction, because we know that all such decisions should be taken at least six years before the start of the next academic year,” Yugank Naik added. On the issue of awards being given to Konkani, they have demanded that the government or Kala Academy which is giving the awards allow Romi Konkani literature to compete alongside Devanagari literature for awards instead of creating a separate section for Romi Konkani. “If the organisers wish to increase the number of awards they are free to do so, but let both forms of literature compete for the same forms of awards,” he said. They said that they welcome all organisations working towards the Konkani language to come under their umbrella. http://www.heraldgoa.in/News/Local%20News/Konkani-group-formed/81323.html