TSSK press release

Goa, Feb 18: Dr Pratap Naik SJ, in a press release, has alleged that a series of myths, scams, manipulations and propaganda of Devanagari script proponents over the past years and has claimed to have exposed them to the public.

The following are the points raised in the press release:

In the year 2004, TSKK with its hard data, informed the public that Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi on February 26, 1975 gave recognition to Konknni language and not to any particular script. It was the Advisory Board of Konknni of Sahitya Akademi which was dominated by Devanagari proponents that recommended to Sahitya Akademi on November 21, 1981 that Devanagari should be the script of Konknni.

In 2004, TSKK brought to the notice of the public that when on August 20, 1992 Konknni was introduced in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, there was no reference to the script of Konknni.

On April 15, 2005 TSKK exposed various myths created and perpetuated by the Devanagari proponents. The main myth was Devanagari script is the natural script of Konknni. TSKK shattered this myth with the counter-argument that nobody has invented any script for Konknni. The existing scripts including Devanagari were borrowed scripts for Konknni.

The second myth was that Konknni had a lot of literature prior to 1510 which was destroyed by the Portuguese. TSKK gave counter-examples to prove that till 1510 Konknni was the spoken language in Goa. Prior to 1510 in Goa those who knew to read, used Marathi and Sanskrit texts and definitely not Konknni. Hence what was destroyed by the Portuguese was Marathi and Sanskrit literature and not Konknni.

When the Language Bill was passed, the Devanagari proponents manipulated and succeeded in introducing the phrase Konknni means Konknni in Devanagari script.

Recently TSKK made an expose that All India Konknni Parishad is a non-registered Society and, in spite of it,  receives government funds to organize Konknni conferences.

The latest scam involves a few known Konknni writers in Devanagari script. Sahitya Akademi has announced that 2005 award for Konknni will be given to N Shivdas for his book Bhangarsall. Shivdas is a member of the Advisory Board of Konknni in Sahitya Akademi. The award-winning book has been published by Asmitai Pratishthan, Margao. Uday Bhembre and Dr Harishchandra Nagvenkar are the office-bearers of Asmitai Pratishthan. Both of them together with Pundalik Naik were members of the jury panel and recommended the book for the prestigious award. Publishers of the book have taken upon themselves the role of jury and to recommend their own publication ! 

Therefore, TSKK has urged the Sahitya Akademi to cancel the award announced in favour of N Shivdas. TSKK also demanded from Sahitya Akademi to withhold further awards to Konknni till a thorough investigation into the matter has been undertaken.

These and many other scams which are increasing day by day have destroyed Konknni and the unity of Konknni speakers. The good of Konknni is forgotten and eyes are set on grants, awards and places of honour. To save Konknni and Goa, people of integrity should raise their voice to defend the true interests of Konknni, says the press release.