Konknni: A Language at the Crossroads
Pratapananda
Naik, S.J.
“The English have no respect for their language,
and will not teach their children to speak it…
It is impossible for an Englishman to open his mouth,
without making some other Englishman despise him.”
Preface to Pygmalion (1912) by George Bernard Shaw
01. In the history of humankind, Languages, dialects and
scripts are used not only for communication but also for domination,
manipulation and suppression of weaker groups.
This is true also for Konknni. Its scripts and dialects are at the
crossroads. The politics of language concerns policies and decisions about official
and standard languages, language planning, language academies, and educational
language policies. A Politicized language is neither the preserve of a profession
nor the office of the state; it is a resource open to all, allowing one to
consider and to use language for persuasion and control.
02. The
Portuguese conquered Tiswadi area of present day Goa
in 1510 from the Sultan Adilshah of Bijapur. Till the arrival of the Portuguese
we have no historical proof to say that Konknni was used as a written language.
The Jesuit and Franciscan missionaries were the first one to write Konknni in
Roman script for the spread of Christianity. The first printing press in India was brought to St. Paul College,
at present day Old Goa by the Jesuit missionaries in 1556. Between 1556 to 1561
they printed Doutrina Christam
(Doctrine of Christianity) in Konknni in roman script. During the
pre-liberation period (prior to 1961) in Goa,
Hindu community and common folks of the Catholic community, for oral
communication used Konknni. The Hindu community used Marathi for primary
education, for popular religion, accounts, written communication theatre and
other spheres of their lives. The elite of the Catholic community used
Portuguese at home and for education. They used Konknni to converse with the
Hindus and common folks of the Catholic community who did not know Portuguese
language. Portuguese language was considered the language of the cultured
people. The elite group of the minority community looked down upon Konknni as a
language of the servants and socio-economically backward common people. Konknni
in Roman script was used for popular religious practices and for mass media.
Konknni written in Devanagari script hardly existed during this period. It had
practically no influence over the members of the Hindu community. Marathi
enjoyed the privileged position among the Hindu community. Due to this the
Hindu community identified Marathi as their intellectual and cultural language.
However there was no animosity or rivalry among the users of these three
languages, namely, Konknni, Marathi and Portuguese. These three languages
coexisted with unity and harmony.
03. After
1965, due to the teaching of the Second Vatican Council, the Catholic Church
all over the world replaced Latin by local languages for the religious domain. Due to this, in Goa
too the Church actively promoted religious services in Konknni. Church
contributed to standardize Konknni in Roman script, which had its roots in
sixteenth century. Let us call this dialect as Bardeshi. After the liberation
of Goa, Konknni language suffered a number of
setbacks. This happened due to partly lack of vision and leadership on the part
of the minority community and partly due to the manipulative tactics used by
self-proclaimed protectors of Konknni. After the liberation of Goa the elite Catholic community switched over to English
while retaining the Portuguese language.
04. After the
liberation of Goa Catholic schools introduced Konknni in Devanagari script as a
third language in their schools. The Devanagari proponents succeeded to
convince a few leaders of the Catholic community that the Devanagari script is
the ‘natural script’ of Konknni and it is related to our nationalism and
patriotism! Majority of the students were from the Catholic community. They
were familiar with the Roman script and Bardeshi dialect due to religious
literature and mass media. But Bardeshi dialect was not taught in schools. A
different dialect called Antruzi was thrust upon them in the name of Konknni
and nationalism. According to Late Mr. Ulhas Buyanv, one of the stalwarts of
Opinion Poll in Goa and veteran Konknni
singer, ‘a Konknni dialect of 3% of Hindu Saraswats was forced upon 30%
Catholic community’. Students of Catholic community who had opted for Konknni
had no real option. They were not familiar with Marathi. Besides they never
identified with Marathi as their language. Between Marathi and Konknni they
were forced to take Konknni in Devanagari script. Students learnt Konknni not
out of conviction or love of Konknni but out of sheer compulsion. Therefore,
they never took interest in keeping up the language they learnt. Once they
finished their education they gave up reading and writing Konknni in Devanagari
script! This situation created a strong feeling of dislike towards Konknni in Devanagari
script among the Catholic community. In Goa
from 5th standard onwards the medium of instruction is English. Due
to this managements discourage their students to speak Konknni or any other
vernacular language in the school premises. Hence Students use English as their
normal language of conversation both inside the school premises and outside.
For the Catholic students the dialect and script which they are familiar with are
taught not in schools. Due to this they develop the dislike to their own mother
tongue and instead of using it for oral communication they prefer to use
English for all domains of their lives!
05. If the
textbooks had included the Konknni dialect of the majority community and
Bardeshi dialect of the Catholic community this unhealthy tension could have
been avoided and a healthy blending of two dialects would have helped to
promote a new standard dialect of Konknni in Goa.
Dialects and scripts are emotional issues. In a democracy one group cannot
impose their preferences on the others. Language is far more important than its
scripts. Unfortunately among a section of Konknnis (Konknni speakers) Konknni
language was identified with the Devanagari script and with a particular
dialect called Antruzi!
06. When
Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi
gave recognition to Konknni there was no mention of its script in the minutes. Excerpts from the meeting of the General Council of
the Sahitya Akademi held on 26 February 1975 reads "As Konkani fulfils the
criteria formulated by the Akademi for recognition of a language, it is
recognised as an independent modern literary language of India”. On 21
November 1981 the Advisory Board of Konknni, which consisted of a majority of
Devanagari proponents, through their shrewd manipulative skills recommended
that Devanagari should be the script for Konknni. Since then Sahitya Akademi accepted Devanagari script as the official
script of Konknni. Konknni speakers, writers and leaders of various scripts
were not consulted for such a major decision. There was no public debate to
come to a consensus on this important issue of script. The entire process was a
clandestine exercise of a few. Subsequently whenever the question of script was
raised, the proponents of Devanagari script silenced the voice of their
opponents by vociferously proclaiming that Sahitya Akademi recognized Konknni,
only in Devanagari script!
07. Consequently,
Sahitya Akademi awards were given exclusively to books written in Devanagari
script. This tradition continues till today. It is an open secret among Konknni
writers that these awards are distributed among the supporters and well-wishers
of Devanagari script. This manipulation reached its climax while selecting a
Konknni book for the Sahitya Akademi award for the year 2005. Three jury
members recommended a book. Two jury members were the publishers of the very
same book, which was selected for the award! Sahitya Akademi’s recognition to
Konknni first sowed the seed of division among the supporters of Konknni and
supporters of Marathi. Secondly, it created a rift between supporters of
Devanagari script versus the supporters of other two major scripts of Konknni,
namely, Roman and Kannada scripts. This gap is widening day by day. Prior to
the recognition, these three groups lived and worked together with dignity. A
popular language of the people does not need the recognition of an external
organization. Sahitya Akademi’s recognition did more harm to the unity and
harmony of Konknni and Konknnis than good!
08. Sahitya
Akademi could solve this animosity by giving annual awards in turn to books
published in Devanagari, Roman and Kannada scripts. This is possible if the
Advisory Board of Sahitya Akademi to resolve the script issue by mutual
understanding. In the year 2010 the representatives of Konknnis using Roman and
Devanagari scripts approached the Sahitya Akademi and requested to consider
their demand. But Sahitya Akademi refused to accept their request.
09. In 1985
the Goa Government founded Goa Konkani Akademi (GKA). Its chief objective was
spelled out as ‘the Akademi aims at bringing about speedy development of the
Konknni language, literature and culture and also at promoting cultural unity
of this state through Konknni language and literature.’ GKA started actually functioning from
1986. GKA was filled with Devanagari
proponents and they interpreted Konknni means Konknni written in Devanagari
script.
10. Till 2005
the Goa Konkani Akademi hardly did anything to fulfill its primary objective.
In 2005 due to the demands of Roman script supporters, the Goa Government
ordered the GKA to publish and to give financial assistance to books written in
Roman script. Roman script readers and writers who preserved, promoted Konknni
and fought for it to become the Official Language of Goa have become second-class
citizens in Goa itself! Anyone who supports or
demands equal status to Konknni in the Official Language Act 1987 is considered
a ‘fundamentalist’, ‘promoter of disunity’ and so on by the Devanagari
proponents.
11. At
present in the name of promoting local languages and culture, the Goa
Government gives lakhs of rupees to Goa Konkani Akademi, Marathi Akademi, Kala
Akademi and Art and Culture Directorate. Is there a need for the government to
spend such an enormous amount of taxpayers’ hard earned money for language and
culture? The government’s involvement through its departments or autonomous
institutions to promote local languages and culture has further divided the
local people. Each group envies the other group. It is high time that the concerned
citizens question the government regarding the relevance and the need for such
an exorbitant expenditure on language and culture. Any language or culture is
maintained, developed and promoted with the active support of its native
speakers. When the government takes the initiative to promote a language or
culture, it gradually kills the zeal of native speakers and in turn harms the
progress of that language. Besides, manipulation, corruption, nepotism and
degradation of the society are bound to enter and get rooted even in the field
of art and culture. A written language or a particular culture cannot be kept
alive merely by government’s financial support.
12. When
Konknni was included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India on 20
August 1992 there was no mention of its official script. The seventy-first amendment to the Constitution reads, “BE it enacted by
Parliament in the Forty-third Year of the republic of India
as follows:-
Short title.-this Act may be called the Constitution (Seventy-first
Amendment) act, 1992.
Amendment of eighth schedule.- In the Eighth schedule to the
Constitution,- existing entry 7 shall be re-numbered as entry 8, and before
entry 8 as so re-numbered, the entry “7. Konkani.’’ shall be inserted.
From this one could conclude that the official script of Konknni for all Konknnis is not officially
decided or accepted by the people.
13. On 4
February 1987 Goa Legislative Assembly passed the Official Language Bill. In
the Official Language Act, under definitions 2c it is stated “‘Konkani
language’ means Konkani language in Devanagari script.” Who created this
deliberate mischief to include the definition of Konknni? What was the need to
include such a definition? The majority of the Konknni supporters were then
totally unaware of this manipulation or the implication of such a definition.
According to Mr. Tomazinho Cardozo, the Ex-Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly
and Ex-President of Dalgado Konknni Akademi, “This is the biggest fraud or
conspiracy of the 20th century as far as Konknni is concerned”.
14. The main
objective of the State Language is to give preference to native speakers for
government jobs. The Official Language Act of Goa is biased towards one section
of the Goan community. Konknni is not a
compulsory subject in the education system of Goa.
In other states the State Language is compulsory in education. In Goa for government jobs the knowledge of Konknni (in
Devanagari script) is essential and the knowledge of Marathi is desirable. With
this policy those who know Konknni in Devanagari script and Marathi are given
preference for jobs. Due to this, the present Language Act does not promote
unity and harmony among natives in Goa.
Instead it has created disunity, mistrust and division in Goa.
Prior to the Official Language Act, the situation in Goa
was much more cordial and friendly. It was falsely presumed that Konknni in
Devanagari script would promote unity in Goa.
But the reality is that the Hindu community has not fully accepted Konknni in
Devanagari script in most of the spheres. It continues to use Marathi for
religious services, education, mass media and cultural domains. In Goa neither the Hindu community nor the Catholic
community has fully accepted Konknni in Devanagari script for all the domains
of their life. It is nobody’s baby, yet this unwanted baby is artificially kept
alive through generous grants of the government. Konknni in Devanagari script
alone cannot become a true bond of unity among Goans. This writer’s experience
for the last 35 years has shown that in Goa,
Konknni for oral communication and English for written communication will
definitely unite all Goans irrespective of their caste, creed and region.
Therefore, for the government jobs the knowledge of oral Konknni
alone should be sufficient. Language
fanaticism does not promote a language; rather it creates hatred towards it and
its speakers.
15. In 1990
Bombay High Court ordered private managements to pay the government pay scale
to their primary teachers. These primary schools were of English medium.
Instead of challenging this verdict in the Supreme Court, managements
approached the local government for assistance. For the reasons best known to
the government, it decided to give grants only to those schools which use
Konknni, Marathi or any other recognized Indian languages as the medium of
instruction. The Catholic community leaders especially the priests and nuns
were asked to run their schools in Konknni medium to avail the grants. This
major decision created innumerable problems for parents to educate their
children in Konknni medium. Besides, it further increased their dislike to
Konknni in Devanagari script. Those who were financially better off preferred
to send their children to English medium primary schools. Those who belong to
the Hindu community continued to send their children to either Marathi or
English medium schools. Those who economically cannot afford English education,
continue to send their children to Konknni medium schools. English medium
primary schools have become a common practice in our country. Hence let the parents decide the medium of
instruction of their children. In a democracy they have a right to choose the
medium of instruction.
16. As on
30.09.2008, Catholics are in forefront in Goa
to run 128 Konknni medium primary schools. Hindu managements run only 6 Konknni
medium primary schools and 48 Marathi medium schools. Goa Government runs 67
Konknni medium schools and promotes 888 Marathi medium primary schools. Why the
supporters of Devanagari do not bring pressure on the Government and Hindu managements
to start Konknni medium schools? In
March 2011 the primary education scenario in Goa
began to change due to Right to Education (RET) 2009 Act of Central Government.
RET recommends that as far as possible the primary education be in mother
tongue up to VIII std. In Goa practically in
all schools from V Std. onwards the medium of instruction is English. The
parents and the management were disturbed by this new policy. Most of the
parents demanded that Goa Government should not change the existing system. The
parents of students who are studying in minority schools went one step further
and demanded from the government to extend grants to English medium primary
schools and to allow switch over Konknni or Marathi medium schools to English
medium. Supporters of Marathi and Devanagari script for Konknni resisted this
move under the banner Bharatiya Bhasa Suraksha Manch (BBSM). BBSM dragged the
matter to the High Court. The High Court verdict is awaited. The Directorate of Education has submitted to
the court the following data. For the academic year 2011-2012, in Goa from Std to I to IV 66543 have enrolled in government
and aided private schools. Out of which 29,557 (46.31%) parents have opted for
English medium; 31,759 for Marathi (49.76%); 2502 for Konknni (3.92%); 223 for
Hindi (0.33%) and 13 for Telugu (0.01%). Data related to Urdu medium and the
existing unaided private English medium schools is not available.
17. According
to the academic year 2008-2009, Marathi medium primary schools (I to IV Std.)
have the highest number of students, namely, 40,151. Konknni has only 32,358
students. The vast majority of Devanagari supporters send their children and
grand children to English or Marathi medium Primary schools! Though Konknni is
the State Language of Goa in the entire State there is not a single Konknni
medium middle school or high school. While Marathi, Urdu and Kannada medium
high schools are found in Goa. Though Konknni
is the official language of Goa, it is not a
compulsory language in schools! In Maharashtra
one cannot complete X std. without studying Marathi and In Karnataka without
Kannada. Only in Goa one can complete his/her entire education in Goa without learning Konknni! Besides, one can live and
die in Goa with dignity without speaking
Konknni! In Goa the regional identity ‘Goan’
is far more important than the linguistic identity ‘Konknni’. Therefore, we
come across many natives who call themselves as Goans and are ashamed to
identify with Konknni or give an excuse they do no Know Konknni or take pride
that do not know Konknni!
18. At the X
std, numbers of students who opt for Konknni as the third language have not
crossed 45% of total number of students who appear for the examination. In 2011
March, 16,747 students appeared for the X Std examination. Out of which 6479(38.69%)
students opted for Konknni and 7182 (42.89%) students for Marathi. At the XII
Std, numbers of students who opt for Konknni as the second language have not
crossed 35%. According to the reliable sources the majority of these students
are Catholics. As on 30.09.2008 out of 129 Christian management high schools
128 schools offer Konknni as a third language. Most of the government high
schools in North Goa District do not offer Konknni. 50% of schools run by the
Hindu community do not offer Konknni as a third language! Devanagari supporters
close their eyes to this naked reality.
19. Whatever may be the
medium of instruction, the proponents of Devanagari script should have demanded
from the government to make Konknni a compulsory subject in schools. So far they have not done so. Why? The reason
is crystal clear. As per the Official Language Act 1987, Marathi has been
safeguarded in educational, social and cultural fields. Therefore, Konknni
cannot be made the compulsory language in Goa
for the education. Fighting against granting the official status to Konknni in
Roman script and cursing the impact of English in Goa
will not help the cause of Konknni in Devanagari script. Rather it will lead to
the natural death of the Konknni written in Devanagari so-called the ‘natural
script’ of Konknni.
20. In
Karnataka Konknni is included in the school curriculum from the academic year
2007-2008 in Kannada script. For the 2010-2011academic year 54 schools are
teaching Konknni in Kannada script as a subject from Std. VI. These schools
belong to the Catholic management. Though there is an option to teach Konknni
in Devanagari script, not a single school offers this option within the school
curriculum. Karnataka Government has recognized Kannada script and Devanagari
script as the official scripts for Konknni in Karnataka. In this context what
prevents the Goa Government to recognize the Roman and Devanagari scripts as
the official scripts of Konknni in Goa?
21. It is
proclaimed by the supporters of Devanagari that hundreds of students have opted
for Konknni at B.A. and M.A. and they still continue to do it. When we analyze
the composition of these Konknni students majority of them are girls. They opt for Konknni to get a degree till
they settle down in life. To get a paper degree, Konknni is the easiest
subject. Boys do not opt for Konknni. They know very well that there are no job
opportunities for Konknni in Goa except for
teaching field. Most of these students of Konknni literature and even their
teachers do not read any other Konknni material beyond their prescribed
textbooks! The contribution of Konknni teachers to Konknni language and
literature is bare minimum.
22. The Kerala
Government has approved of teaching of Konknni in Devanagari script in Kerala,
but in reality Konknni is taught as a subject only in one school. In Kerala not a single full-fledged Konknni
periodical is published. In reality in
Kerala Konknnis exist but Konknni continues to be mainly the spoken language
among a small section of people of Konknni origin. In Kerala Konknni is hardly
used for written purpose.
23. In Goa literate Hindus know the Devanagari script. Yet the
vast majority of them prefer to read and write Marathi and not Konknni. 10
Marathi dailies are sold in Goa. While the
single Konknni daily in Goa has very poor
circulation after 24 years of its existence! In Goa
besides the daily there are only 3 Konknni periodicals in Devanagari script.
Roman script has 13 periodicals. Besides these, there are 82 Parish Bulletins
are published in Roman script. Catholics who read Konknni prefer to read it in
Roman script. Day by the use of Roman script for Konknni is gradually
increasing among the Hindu community due to the efforts of Dalgado Konknni
Akademi and Tiatr academy. Since liberation, Konknni in Devanagari script has
not united the entire Hindu community. It is highly Marathicized and
Sanskritized. Yet, the Hindu Community has not accepted it! Why the majority of the Hindu community which
speaks Konknni has rejected Konknni written in Devanagari script? One of the
answers is it uses the Konknni dialect of Saraswats. The common Hindu community
known as Bahujan Samaj does not want the domination of Saraswats and Catholics.
During the Portuguese rule the Saraswats and the elite Catholics who learnt
Portuguese language profited by the government high posts. Therefore the Bahujan
Samaj prefers to identify with Marathi which they learnt in schools, which is
common to both Bahujan Samaj and Saraswats. Besides, the Hindu community
continues to use Marathi for their religious, cultural, social and other fields
of life. Konknni in Devanagari script has failed to unite the majority and
minority communities of Goa. Prior to Goa’s liberation, written Konknni meant Konknni in Roman
script. Spoken Konknni alone is the
uniting factor in Goa. Konknni in Devanagari
script is kept alive mainly due to State and Central Governments grants. In
education it exists because of the support of the Catholic community. If the
government stops or if the Roman script is given the official status will
Konknni in Devanagari script survive? This is a serious topic for discussion
and reflection.
24. Church has supported and preserved Konknni in Roman script. As on 26 August
2008, 60,000 copies of the entire Bible in Konknni; 2,32,000 copies of New
Testament and over 3 lakhs of Gayonancho Jhelo (hymnal); 1,00,000 catechism
books for students and 6,000 teachers’ handbooks are printed in Konknni in
roman script. The Church uses Konknni in Roman script for the religious
purpose. Archbishop’s official circulars and pastoral letters are written and
published in Konknni.
25. In the
market Konknni CDs, VCDs & DVDs of Kantaram (songs), Tiatrs, Mandos,
Dulpods, Dekhnnis, devotional hymns and films are found in great numbers. The text and lyrics for these is written in
Roman script and produced mainly by the Catholic community. Hindus still
continue to use Marathi CDs for religious socio-cultural domains. Tiatr is the
most popular form of entertainment and commercially successful stage
performance. At least 40 tiatr troupes perform thousand of shows in Goa and elsewhere. Tiatr is the most successful
entertainment industry. Tiatrs are written exclusively in the Roman script.
Though it is claimed that many Konknni Nattoks (plays) are gaining popularity
they are limited to competitions and free shows. Konknni Nattoks have not
attained the commercial status. On the all India Radio Kantaram, Mandos,
Dulpods, Dekhnnis and Konknni film songs are still popular. Konknni in Roman script is the heart and soul
of Konknni. Therefore, Lorna, Chris
Perry, M. Boyer, Jacinto Vaz, Robin Vaz, C. Alvares, H. Britton, Alfred Rose,
Rita Rose, Antonette Mendes, Remo Fernandes, Wilmix Mazarello, Sharon Mazarello,
Anthony San, Young Chico and other singers are popular in Goa
irrespective of religion and caste.
26. The claim
that there are over 50 lakhs of Konknnis is far from the truth. According to
the Census of India 2001 in India
there are 24,89,015 mother tongue Konknni speakers. In census data under
Konknni entry Kudbi/Kudumbi, Malwani and others are included. This data
includes 24,20,140 Konknni; 10,192 Kudubi/Kudumbi; 46,851 Malwani; and 11,832
other mother tongue language speakers. According to Census 2001 the total
population of Goa is 13,47,668. Of which only
7,69,888 (57.13%) persons have declared that their mother tongue is Konknni.
According to Census 2001 in Goa, 8,190 have
declared English as their mother tongue.
This number is not realistic. There must be many more whose mother
tongue is English according to the definition of mother tongue given by Census
2001. Census 2001 defines mother tongue
as follows: “Mother tongue is the language spoken in childhood by the person’s
mother to the person.” If we take this definition literally, then the Konknni
population in Goa is far below the recorded
data 7,69,888. Because in a good number
of Catholic families, mothers speak to their children in English. Such households might have wrongly given
their mother tongue as Konknni instead of English. Similarly, those who have declared their
mother tongue as Marathi have given the wrong information because most of them
speak Konknni in their homes.
27. For other major
languages of India,
the majority of a particular language is found in a particular State. For
example, Marathi in Maharashtra, Kannada in
Karnataka and so on. Though Konknni is the State Language of Goa only 30.93% of
total Konknni population is found in Goa! Konknnis are spread out mainly in Gujarat,
Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala
States. They use
different dialects and scripts. Konknni is written mainly in three scripts,
namely, Roman, Devanagari and Kannada. Konknni
is required only to maintain their cultural identity. In this context, Konknni does not help as a
medium of instruction, as a common media for communication or to earn one’s
livelihood. So far Konknni is survived because it is a vibrant spoken language.
"One script, one dialect, one community" principle has not succeeded
so far to unite Konknnis and in the future it will not succeed. If we force this ‘Unity in uniformity” principle
Konknnis will survive but Konknni will perish. The protagonists of this principle implicitly
believe that Aryans, Brahmins, Sanskrit and Devanagari script are inseparable
elements of the common umbilical cord and they are
‘holy/pure/standard/best/high’ for all!
On Alok Rai’s book Hindi Nationalism the following text is found
on the outer cover page. Its content is applicable to the situation of Konknni
in Goa. The text reads, “This tract by Alok
Rai looks at the politics of language in India through a study of the
history of one language- Hindi. It traces the tragic metamorphosis of this
language over the last century, from a creative, dynamic, popular language to a
dead, Sanskritised, dePersianised language manufactured by a self-serving upper
caste North Indian elite, nurturing hegemonic ambitions. From being a symbol of
collective imagination it becomes a signifier of narrow sectarianism and
regional chauvinism. The tract shows how this transformation of the language
was tied up with the politics of communalism and regionalism. Rai seeks to save Hindi from the politics of
Hindi nationalism. If Hindi has to
realise its inner potential and become a national language of communication,
argues Rai, then it has to emancipate itself from its own repressed history,
and dissociate itself from its deformed other – the Sanskritised Hindi of the
pundits. It can only do this through a critical return to its troubled past. In
returning to that past, Rai hopes to create the possibilities of a new future.
This is a powerful tract, written with emotion and passion, speaking with wit
and ideas. It persuades us to rethink the question of National Language, and
reflect on the tangles links between language, identity and politics.”
28. In the Editorial
Preface of Alok Rai’s book Hindi Nationalism the editor Neeladri Bhattacharya
says,
“This
tract by Alok Rai is a passionate defense of Hindi. But Rai’s Hindi is the
language of everyday life that had evolved in North India
by the nineteenth century, a language variously and synonymously called Hindi,
Urdu, Hindustani. It was a heteroglot, hybrid language that had absorbed the
semantic resources of many traditions. …to explain the sources of the deeper
linguistic fracture, Rai looks at the complicated working of competitive elite
politics, and caste and regional rivalries. The anxieties and ambitions of the
North Indian Brahmin elite, tormented by the entrenched power of the Muslim
upper classes and jealous of the Kayastha monopoly over the service sector,
sustained the energies of the Nagari/Hindi movement. Devanagari was opposed not
only to the Persian script, but also to Kaithi, a variant of the Nagari script
that was popular amongst Muslims and Kayasthas. To displace a community, it was
necessary to repress the assumed markers of its identity and the cultural basis
of its power. The hostility towards the Persian script, coalesced with the
attack against the syncretic culture associated with the hegemonic Avadh Muslim
elite, fusing the issue of language and religion” (pp. vii). Konknni has many
lessons to learn from “Hindi Nationalism”. Konknni will survive and flourish if
we accept the principle of “Unity in diversity” of Konknni dialects, scripts
and cultures.
29. Supporters of Roman
script have so far not opposed the Konknni in Devanagari script. Then why the
Devanagari lobby opposes the inclusion of Roman script in the Official Language
Act (OLA)? In the OLA why the definition of Konknni was given as “Konkani means
Konkani written in Devanagari script”? In 1987 when Marathi was included in the
OLA, the Devanagari supporters did not oppose it. Why? The logic is simple. If
the Roman script is given its due place, the use of Konknni in Devanagari
script will be reduced and eventually it might die a natural death. According
to Ancy Paladka, a Konknni poet from Mumbai “For
the survival of Konknni in Goa, Roman and Nagari
scripts must be recognized as official and equal in the Language Act. If
Marathi too becomes the official language of Goa
the blame has to be borne by Nagari lobby only. For its own survival and
honour Nagari lobby should immediately take necessary steps to rectify its past
sin and join hands with Roman script supporters to obtain the official status
to Roman script in the Language Act.” (Ancy 2008:73)
30. Since the
inception of Goa Konknni Akademi, not a single Roman script writer or supporter
has been appointed as the President of it. Kala Academy
stopped to give awards to Konknni books written in Roman script from 1987. So
far not a single book published in Roman script has been given Sahitya Akademi
award. Why the Devanagari lobby is silent about this injustice? They used
Devanagari as a tool to suppress and oppress the minority community to
perpetuate their supremacy in the field of language and literature and to grab
awards, positions, jobs, power and government funds.
31. Marathi
is used in Goa exclusively by the Hindu
community for written communication, religious and cultural areas. If Marathi
has a place in the OLA, and Konknni in Devanagari script which the majority of
Goans do not want has secured a place in it, then the Roman script which is the
most popular script has a right to be in the Goa Official Language Act. The question is not the script but the
dialects in use. Devanagari script is heavily dominated by the Antruzi dialect
of Saraswats of Ponda region. While the Roman script promoted by the Catholics
use Bardeshi dialect of North Goa. Both these
Konknni dialects vary at the phonetic, lexical, morphological, syntactic and
semantic domains. Since Konknni is the language of identity both these groups
want to maintain their identity through their own different scripts and
dialects. In this sense in Goa the Konknni
language, its scripts and dialects are at the crossroads. It is a language politics for identity
(linguistic, cultural, social, psychological), power, prestige and economical
control. The good of Goa and Goans is far more
important than mere language, dialect or script controversy.
32. Language,
scripts and dialects have become emotional and cultural dimensions of people
here in Goa. Logic and facts are pushed to the
back seats. Vast majority of Catholics think that Marathi is the language of Maharashtra and of Hindus. Devanagari script is imposed
on them. Local Hindus do speak Konknni but identify with Marathi as the
language of the religion and culture. Roman script is considered as foreign and
Devanagari as the ‘natural’ script. This misconception prevails because
language and script is associated with a particular religion. Locals while
speaking Konknni use their own dialects. Nobody speaks Devanagari Konknni or
Romi Konknni. Such Konknni does not
exist. Yet, in popular writings and speeches these terms are often used and
create further confusion. Devanagari and Roman scripts are used to write
Konknni in Goa. Due to the effort of the
church, a particular dialect of Konknni (Bardeshi) in Roman script is fairly
standardized. A similar process is also continues in Devanagari script due to
education process. However, both
Christian and Hindu communities have not totally identified with written Konknni
in any script. Due to this language suffers.
In the Official Language Act 1987, if the definition of Konknni was
avoided, then both the scripts would have flourished side by side. Here the
Devanagari proponents put the fear in the mind of the leaders of the Catholic
community that if they demand for Roman script Marathi would become the
official language. Without becoming the official language, Marathi gets
practically all the privileges which Konknni in Devanagari script enjoys in the
OLA. In this language politics, Roman script was kept out of the OLA.
Devanagari protagonists accuse Roman script supporters that after many years
they are awakened and now demand a share in grants and awards. One could
counteract this argument by saying, “What is wrong in democracy to demand equal
share in grants, honour and awards?” In the recent years due to the constant
pressure of supporters of Roman script, the present State Government has
started to give grants to Dalgado Konknni Akademi, a NGO which was established
in 1988 to preserve and promote Konknni in Roman script. Besides, the State Government
established its own autonomous institution Tiatr Academy
to promote the popular form of Konknni theatre called Tiatr. The government
also gives some financial help for the cultural functions organized by the
supporters of Roman script. The supporters of Roman script want not just
monetary benefits; they want equal citizenship right for their dialect and
script. They do not ask for charity but for equality and justice. Because
Article 29 of the Constitution of India says, “Protection of interests of minorities.- (1) Any section of the
citizens residing in the territory of India or any part thereof having a
distinct language, script or culture of its own shall have the right to
conserve the same.” Article 347 reads “Special
provision relating to language spoken by a section of the population of a
State.-On a demand being made in that behalf the President may, if he is
satisfied that a substantial proportion of the population of a State desire the
use of any language spoken by them to be recognized by that State, direct that
such language shall also be officially recognized throughout that State or any
part thereof for such purpose as he may specify.” In democracy, there will not
be peace and unity as long as injustice prevails and one group wants to
dominate others and suppress their voice.
33.
A
few prominent people who are working for Konknni wanted to put an end to the
manipulation of a fistful people who were working under the narrow principle of
“unity in uniformity”. Under the leadership of Mandd Sobhann various Konknni
organizations from all over the world came together on 20 August 2011 at
Kalangann, Mangalore and formed the Jagotik Konknni Songhotton (Global Konkani
Organization) to promote and work for Konknni with wider and in depth vision.
The objectives of JKS are to represent Konknni people and issues globally, to
enrich and preserve Konknni posterity,
to ensure the transmission of the Konknni heritage perennially. The
principles of JKS are: respecting every variety, seeking unity in diversity,
promoting a common identity.
34. Those who care for
Konknni should be open to the ground reality and not be led by mere theoretical
idealism or language/script chauvinism. In democracy mutual respect,
understanding and unity in multiplicity and other values must guide any action.
In Goa, Roman and Devanagari scripts are used
to read and write Konknni. These two scripts represent two different standard
dialects of Konknni. They could be compared to two wheels of a cart. For the
survival of Konknni in Goa they are really
essential. There cannot be true equality and harmony among the users of these
two groups without justice. Justice will be given by amending the Official
Language Act of 1987 to include Konknni written in Roman script side by side of
Konknni written in Devanagari script. Let these two groups live in Goa with dignity as equal citizens maintaining their
identity and liberty. Konknni without the Roman script and the Bardeshi dialect
will lose its separate identity and simplicity. According to a Hasidic saying,
“The culture of the heart is greater than the culture of the mind”. Konknni is
primarily a language of the heart.
Bibliography:
Almeida,
Matthew. 2005 ‘Evolution and Modification
of the Roman script used for
Konkani’. In SÔD
TSKK Konknni Research Bulletin 9:158-186.
Almeida,
Matthew. 2006. ‘Konknni versus Scripts’.
In SÔD TSKK Konknni
Research Bulletin
10:71-74.
Cardozo,
Tomazinho. 2008. ‘Of Language, Script and
Panic’. In SÔD TSKK
Konknni Research
Bulletin13:34-37.
Cardozo,
Tomazinho. 2008. ‘Solving the Language Imbroglio’. In SÔD TSKK
Konknni Research
Bulletin 13:67-69.
D’Souza,
Ancy. 2008. ‘Konknni Devanagari Supporters should act immediately’.
In SÔD TSKK Konknni
Research Bulletin 13:72-73.
Fernandes,
Jason K.2006. ‘Scripting Controversy:
Debating the War of the
Konknnis’. In SÔD TSKK Konknni Research Bulletin
10:39-48.
Gonsalves,
Godfrey. 2006. ‘Roman Script for Konknni a Must: Now or Never’. In
SÔD TSKK Konknni
Research Bulletin 10:27-30.
Lopes,
Nelson. 2006. ‘Roman script the soul of Konknni’. In SÔD TSKK Konknni
Research Bulletin
10:15-19.
Mazarello,
Wilmix Wilson. 2008. ‘Denying a Script is a Human right Violation’.
In SÔD TSKK Konknni
Research Bulletin 13:56-58.
Naik,
Pratap 2007. ‘A short history of Konknni
in Goa in the Roman Script
from
1556’. In SÔD TSKK Konknni Research Bulletin 11:58-69.
Naik,
Pratap. 2008. ‘Glimpses of Konknni in Roman Script’. In SÔD TSKK Konknni
Research Bulletin13:70-71
Naik,
Pratap 2007. ‘Facts related to Konknni Language as Updated on 24
February 2007’. In
SÔD TSKK Konknni Research Bulletin 11:91-102.
Naik,
Pratap 2008. ‘Konknni and its Scripts at
the Crossroads’. In ‘Herald’ 5
September, 2008. p 9.
Rai,
Alok. 2001. Hindi Nationalism. London:
Sangam Books Limited.
Comments
Post a Comment