Give fair representation to Catholics in Konkani Academy : FKCA

Bangalore, Feb 9: Following inadequate representation to Catholics in the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy, the Federation of Konkani Catholic Association (FKCA) has urged the Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa to revamp Academy to set right the injustice done to Konkani Catholic and Christian community.

Following are the Konkani Sahitya Academy Members appointed by the government:
1) Basava Karvi
2) Radhakrishna Bhakta
3) Kasargodu Chinna
4) Panduranga Nayak
5) Dr. Vishnu Nayak
6) Venkatesh Baliga
7) Basti Vaman Shenoy
8) Dr. Vasanthkumar Perla
9) Dr. Vasanth Bandekar
10) Rev Fr. Denis Desa

Press Release

GROSS INJUSTICE AND NEGLECT OF KONKANI CATHOLICS AND CHRISTIANS IN THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS OF KARNATAKA KONKANI SAHITYA ACADEMY; REQUEST FOR SPEEDY REDRESSAL

Bangalore, FEBRUARY 7 2009: While expressing our heartfelt gratitude to the Hon’ble Chief Minister Dr Sri B S Yeddyurappa, for participating in our Annual Federation Day programme held in Bangalore on February 1, Sunday, along with Hon’ble Home Minister Dr Sri V S Acharya, and also the Chief Minister’s announcement while addressing the huge gathering, that the list of members for appointment of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy was ready and will be released shortly. True to the Chief Minister’s announcement, the State Government has released the list of 10 members on February 4 night itself.

However, we are extremely sorry and shocked to find that out of the names of 10 members announced by the Government, only one person belonging to our Konkani Catholic and Christian community has been included. But, unfortunately, Konkani Catholics and Christians have been almost completely ignored. Even though it is well-known that Konkani Catholics and Christians are in large numbers in the three coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada, and also in Bangalore, Mysore, Chikmagalur, Shimoga and other districts, and their contribution to the growth of Konkani language, literature, culture, music and theatre and other fine arts, it is regrettable that the appointment of the members does not seem to acknowledge this fact. We take strong exception to this blatant neglect of the Konkani Catholic and Christian community in the appointment of members to the Academy.

A perusal of the names of the 10 members chosen by the Government reveals that it is packed by persons belonging to only one Konkani community from the coastal region to the utter disregard and total exclusion of Konkani Catholics and Christians despite their large numbers and greater contribution to the cause of Konkani language, literature, culture and arts. Incidentally, a prominent Konkani leader, belonging to this community, has been nominated again despite having served as a Chairman for a term in the past.

Apart from the almost complete exclusion of Konkani Catholics and Christians, another glaring omission in the nomination of members to the Academy is the absence of any representatives from districts like Bangalore, Mysore, Chikmagalur, Hassan, Shimoga, Belgaum etc, even Konkani speaking people have been residing in these districts since generations. We feel strongly offended and insulted that a person belonging to Kasaragod, which belongs to Kerala, has also been nominated while Konkani speaking people from within the state and Konkani Catholics and Christians have been ignored. It is lamentable that not a single woman has been nominated. We fail to understand the rationale or justification for this blatant discrimination.

In view of these factors, we strongly urge the Government to take immediate steps for redressal of the injustice done to Konkani Catholcis and Christians and also to Konkani speaking people from other districts if necessary by reconstituting the Academy afresh so as to ensure fair representation to all Konkani speaking people and regions. If the Government fails to set right the injustice immediately, the Konkani Catholics and Christians will be compelled to resort to strong public protests and also reconsider their stand in respect of the Academy.

We strongly feel and demand that the Academy, funded by the Government and functioning under the control and supervision of Karnataka Government’s Department for Kannada and Culture, which is looked after by the Chief Minister himself, should represent the entire Konkani speaking population and also not just the coastal region but even those residing in other parts of Karnataka.

Charles Gomes
Chairman

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