The Hindu
Bangalore, Jul 7: Minister for Home and Parliamentary Affairs M P Prakash told the Legislative Council on Friday that the activities of the Karwar-based Goa Konkani Rajya Ekikaran Manch and the Samyukta Gomantak Manch in Karwar, Joida and Haliyal taluks were more in the nature of a “probable conspiracy against the interests of the State than a democratic linguistic movement”.
Replying to a call attention notice moved by ‘Mukhyamantri’ Chandru (BJP), Mr. Prakash said the Goa Konkani Rajya Ekikaran Manch had demanded that 300 villages where Marathi was spoken in Karwar, Joida and Haliyal taluks be merged with Goa or the three taluks be declared a Union Territory.
The Ekikaran Manch had moved an interlocutory petition before the Supreme Court on April 13, 2007, which had been admitted, Mr. Prakash said.
The State had maintained a cordial relationship with the Government and the people of Goa culturally, economically and industrially. Although Konkani was spoken both in Goa and in some parts of the State, Marathi had never been the bone of contention. The State Government had clarified its stand in its objections filed before the Supreme Court, he said.
A team headed by Ekikaran Manch president Asha Palanakar had visited the three taluks in question and collected public opinion on the issue recently. The organisation, which came into existence five months ago, had not been registered in Karwar though its headquarters was located at Sadashivagad in Karwar town, he said.
‘Local angle’
Leader of the Opposition H.K. Patil said that the activities of the Ekikaran Manch should not be construed as a public movement as Konkani-speaking people in those areas were not against Kannada or the State. The activities were aimed at local body elections, he added.
Also Read: