Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)
Mangaluru, Oct 22: Discontentment is expressed by many that Konkani speaking Catholic Christian community, who are in large numbers and who have contributed maximum books and literature in the Konkani language, is neglected during the nomination of president and members of Konkani Sahitya Academy.
MLC Ivan D'Souza has already given a statement in this regard and also warned that fierce protest will be held if this discrimination is not set right immediately. Since the formation of Konkani Sahitya Academy in 1994, in all the nine terms of the academy, there was representation of Konkani Catholics in the academy. Four, including the first renowned Konkani litterateur V J P Saldanha belonged to the Konkani Catholic community.
Kasargod Chinna (left) and Roy Castelino
From Karwar in north to Kasargod in south there are Konkani speaking Catholics in the coastal area of Karnataka state. There are around 12.5 lac Konkani speaking people in the state of Karnataka. Among them, the number of Catholic Christians is more. They have an upper hand in Konkani literature also. The official language of Mangaluru diocese in Konkani and all religious ceremonies are held in the same language. Konkani is studied as a subject in the schools that are under the administration of the Diocese.
On the other end, people, who were former members, in addition to former presidents, have been nominated as members again in the Konkani academy. Out of the 11 people, who are nominated for the Konkani academy, Narayana Kharvi was president for the 2008-2011 period. Before that he was the member of the academy also. Now he is nominated as member for the third term in succession. Chidananda Bhandary and Vasanth Bhandekar were also former members of the academy.
Giving his opinion on the issue, former president of Konkani Academy, Kasargod Chinna said, "The contribution of Konkani speaking Catholic Christians for the progress of Konkani language is commendable. At least one person from the Konkani Catholic Christians should be made member of the academy in coming days. I have brought this matter to the notice of the new president of Konkani Academy."
Expressing his views on the issue, former president of Konkani Academy Roy Castelino said, "Konkani speaking Catholic Christians have done yeomen service for the comprehensive development of the Konkani language. Neglecting this committee does not augur well with respect to the all-round growth of the Konkani language."
Similar discontentment is expressed in the nomination of Tulu academy also. Two nominated members of Tulu academy has already said that they will not accept the membership offered to them.
Even Byari academy is not free of allegations of favoritism. One member has written to the president of the academy that he will not accept the membership. The other two have said that they are not litterateurs and that is why they will not accept the membership.