PANJIM: The Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch (BBSM) which had earlier virulently opposed grants to English medium primary schools, in a strange volte-face, has blunted its once aggressive stance after some of its key members interestingly, were rewarded with key government positions by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.
Lips
of St Andre MLA Vishnu Surya Wagh who dumped Congress Party to join BJP on MoI issue, were sealed on Friday when BBSM declared its stance. He is a BJP MLA and conferred chairmanship of Kala Academy by the BJP government. Not surprisingly, though he attended BBSM meeting on Friday evening, he had nothing to say.
BBSM member noted Konkani writer Pundalik Naik who believes primary education has to be imparted in mother tongue, was recently appointed as chairman of Goa Konkani Academy. Former chairman of Goa Board Pandurang Nadkarni who went to High Court opposing the circular of the earlier government, has been now recommended for appointment as state information commissioner by the Parrikar government.
Whereas other members of BBSM who did not mince words when it came to criticising Kamat government for its MoI policy, now find themselves in minority. The BBSM members former chief minister Shashikala Kakodkar, Adv Uday Bhembre were missing in action when Parrikar government declared its MoI policy, on Monday.
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday declared that grants to 127 diocesan schools that had switched on to English medium, last academic year, will continue. These schools did not go back to teaching in regional language even after High Court in an interim order stayed the implementation of the circular extending grants to English medium schools.
When the erstwhile government introduced its new policy on MoI opening it’s purse strings to give grants to English medium primary schools, BBSM had rained down its fury on Kamat government. However, it did not show similar zest in criticising the Parrikar government.
BBSM has registered its dissent but there are no indications that it will revive its agitation to explain to Goans that Parrikar’s decision on MoI is wrong.
It has adopted a wait and watch “go slow policy” while it has been effectively betrayed. This was well demonstrated by its Friday’s stand when its executive committee welcomed Parrikar’s MoI decision and decided to form a committee to examine the government’s policy of five pages, and to decide the future course of action.
And yes they have demanded that grants to diocesan schools should be stopped, and that’s it.
