Marathi Group Demands Official Language Status in Goa

A delegation from the *Marathi Rajbhasha Nirdhar Samiti* has revived calls for granting official language status to Marathi in Goa. Led by educationist Subhash Velingkar, the group submitted a memorandum to Art and Culture Minister Ramesh Tawadkar on April 14, urging recognition of Marathi alongside Konkani, the state's current official language.

The delegation emphasized Marathi's cultural and linguistic significance in Goa, pointing to its widespread use across the state. They argued that official recognition would better reflect Goa's diverse linguistic heritage and called for policy intervention to accord Marathi equal status in administrative domains.

The memorandum highlights a long-standing demand for linguistic recognition in the state, where language politics has historically been a sensitive issue. The push for dual official language status seeks to acknowledge the substantial Marathi-speaking population while maintaining Konkani's official position.