THE SOLEMN RESOLVE

We, the writers, artistes and activists, serving the cause of Konkani in our respective fields, have noted with satisfaction the correct interpretation of the Official Language Act contained in the recent decision of the Panaji Bench of the Bombay High Court.

We have also noted with concern the reactions to that decision from vested interests who have always opposed the progress of Konkani and have attempted to destroy the Goan identity either through merger of this territory or otherwise.

We firmly believe that Konkani is the foundation of Goan Identity and that no other language can take or share its place. Konkani is spoken by over 95% people of Goa and therefore Konkani alone can be the official language of this State. We emphatically reiterate that Goa is not a bilingual state and hence there is no question of conferring the status of official language on Marathi or any other language.

It is also our firm belief that the Official Language Act is an instrument that can protect the interests of Goan youth and contain unemployment of the sons of the soil if properly implemented. Making Marathi the other official language will destroy that advantage opening the gates of employment to crores of people from the neighbouring Marathi speaking state. As we all know mere domicile stipulation cannot check the job opportunities to outsiders.

The Official Language Act, as it is, provides the use of Marathi for official purposes. That provision is more than its due considering the status of Marathi in Goa. It was, in fact, with reservations that we had accepted it, as a measure to accommodate the sentiment regarding Marathi prevailing among certain section of people.

But, we will not tolerate,under any circumstances, any amendment to the Official Language Act. It is our firm resolve to fight any such attempt tooth and nail to safeguard the Goan identity and to thwart the sinister plan to pave way for Goa's merger with Marathi speaking areas.

We are aware of the game plan of those who are attempting to foist two official languages on Goa. Having failed, in the past, to achieve Goa's merger with Maharashtra on the ground that Marathi is the language of Goa, the local agents of expansionism are again trying to put Goa's political future into jeopardy by projecting Goa as a bilingual State.

If Marathi is made the other official language Maharashtra, from where the Marathiwadis are gaining support, will undoubtedly reiterate its claim to Goa. Still worse, the fear of breaking Goa will loom large in view of the revived border dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka as some contemplate of bringing Marathi speaking areas together to form another Marathi speaking state.

We, therefore, call upon all those who are prompted by extra territorial loyalties to attempt to amend the Official Language Act, in order to impose Marathi as official language upon Goans, to desist from that kind of stupidity. We also call upon the concerned political parties and representatives of the people not to betray the interests of Goa and Goans and not to give rise to social tensions, frictions and conflicts that Goa ill affords.

We also urge upon all self-respecting Goans to be vigilant about the attempts of those who have betrayed Goa in the past by trying to destroy its identity. We also fervently appeal them to, if need arises, rise unitedly and forcefully, as in the past, to defeat the ill designs of the enemies of Goa as also future generations of Goans.

We, the following signatories, solemnly declare that we shall spare no efforts to give the final effective blow to these betrayers who have again raised their ugly head to divide and destroy Goa.

Ravindra Kelekar
Chandrakant Keni
Uday Bhembre
Pundalik Narayan Naik
Damodar Mauzo
Datta Damodkar Naik
Nagesh Karmali
Fr Freddy J Da Costa
Felicio Cardoz
Prof Prakash Thali
Hema Naik
Dr Rajendra Hegde
Shridhar N Kamat
Sadanand Tendulkar
Ln Agnelo Da Silva
Purnanand Chari
Vincy Quadros
Shridhar Kamat Bambolkar
Mahest T Parkar
Pandurang Gawade
Sadanand Kanekar
Shaikh Hanif
Soter Barreto
Babli Naik
Prashant Naik
Nityanand Naik
N Shivdas

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