Language issue in Goa leads to political wrangle

Updated on: Saturday, July 23, 2011

An organisation spearheading the protest against the Goa government's decision to include English as the medium of instruction in schools threatened to disrupt the inauguration of International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Margao in November.

Addressing youths at the Azad Maidan here, Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch (BBSM) leader Vishnu Wagh said youths from across the state will not allow the inaugural function of IFFI-2011 to take place in Margao, a constituency represented
by Chief Minister Digambar Kamat.

"We challenge the chief minister to hold the inauguration of IFFI without rolling back the decision on medium of instruction," he said.

The film festival is held in November-December every year since 2004, in which national and international film personalities participate.

Wagh said that the state government will have to recall its decision to allow English as medium of instruction as it is being opposed by various sections of society, including youths.

In May, the government included English as medium of instruction, sparking protests across the state.

BBSM leader and academician Subhash Velingkar said the agitation will now flare up considering the involvement of the youth force in it. "Youths from every college are participating in the BBSM agitations. History has proved that whenever youth force has descended on road, governments are forced to roll back their decisions."

BBSM convenor and former chief minister Shashikala Kakodkar said the agitation will continue till government scraps its decision. "Government is trying to kill Marathi and Konkani languages," she alleged.

Language issue in Goa leads to political wrangle

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