With the upcoming monsoon session of the Goa Assembly scheduled for July 21, the Global Romi Lipi Abhiyan (GRLA) has renewed its demand for two key resolutions—introduction of Roman Konkani in schools and the establishment of the Goa State Minorities Commission.
The organisation has formally appealed to all five major political parties in the state—BJP, Congress, Goa Forward, AAP, and RG—to raise these resolutions in the Assembly and push for their immediate passage.
Roman Script in Schools
GRLA has demanded that Romi Konkani be introduced as an optional medium of instruction in schools across Goa, highlighting its cultural and constitutional relevance. Roman script, which has been in use for over 450 years in Goa, played a critical role in preserving the Konkani language during colonial rule and remains widely used by the Catholic community.
Citing Articles 29(1) and 30 of the Indian Constitution, GRLA emphasised the constitutional guarantee that allows minorities to conserve their language, script and culture, and to establish educational institutions.
The demand is also aligned with the New Education Policy 2020, which advocates multilingualism, flexibility, and inclusive education.
GRLA has urged the government to begin curriculum development, teacher training, and ensure adequate funding and infrastructure to support Roman Konkani as an option in schools.
Minorities Commission
In its second resolution, GRLA has called for the immediate formation of the Goa State Minorities Commission, a demand pending for nearly 33 years. Although the Centre established the National Minorities Commission in 1992 and empowered states to follow suit, Goa has yet to set up its own body.
GRLA pointed out that the BJP had included the commission in its 2012 manifesto, but legislative follow-through has remained absent. The group appealed to both ruling and opposition parties to prioritise this long-standing issue in the upcoming session by approving necessary legislation and funds.
The commission, GRLA stated, is essential to safeguard minority rights, address grievances, and promote social cohesion in the state.
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