Bangalore: Kannada Activists Attack Konkani Catholics over Language Issue

Edwin D'Souza

Bangalore, Nov 19: Konkani Catholics from around Rajajinagar were on Sunday November 18 attacked by a group of about 25 Kannada activists at Saccidananda Chapel over the use of Konkani during church service.

The parish churches in Bangalore being too small to accommodate the large number of Catholics, and as they do not have Sunday services in English or Konkani, some of the Konkanies from around Rajajinagar and Yeshwantpur frequent Saccidananda and Sabbhavana chapels of the Capuchin and Carmelite Fathers respectively. There have been constant threats from some Kannada activists to stop all services in languages other than Kannada. Recently even a group of Kannada priests had barged into the premises threatened the friars with dire consequences. Over the last couple of weeks, protests from Kannada activists have intensified.

On Sunday when the faithful came out of the Saccidananda Chapel, they faced the wrath of about 25 Kannada activists; fully drunk, using abusive language attacked the faithful. The Konkani Catholics totally taken by surprise, put up a tough resistance. In the scuffle that lasted over an hour, two Konkani leaders and a young boy were physically assaulted. The Kannada activists were shouting slogans, “Konkanies go to Goa! There is no place for you in Karnataka.”

In a short while, the police arrived at the scene and dispersed the crowd. The wounded Konkanis after obtaining first aid at the local hospital lodged a police complaint at the Subrahmanyanagar police station. The local police inspector Somegowda after conducting preliminary inquiry gave assurance that such incidents will not be repeated. FIR has been filed against the activists.

According to a local leader, “The pontifical commission that visited Bangalore has given its opinion that while safeguarding the primacy of Kannada, they are in favour of masses in all languages, namely, Tamil, Konkani, Malayalam, Hindi, etc. That is the reason why, the Kannada activists are agitated. They want to stop Archbishop Dr Bernard Moras from implementing this order.”

Now the Konkani Associations are alerted, the Konkani Federation has reiterated its stand for Konkani language. Other language groups, such as Tamil, Malayalam and some moderate Kannadigas have promised strong support.

Konkani leader Edwin D’Souza stated, “There are over three lac Konkanis in the Archdiocese but how come we do not have even a single mass in Konkani?” as the state government has recognized Konkani as one of the state language and formed Konkani Sahithya Academy and also introduced Konkani as third langue in some of the schools. Richard said, ”Our fight will not stop until Konkani is duly recognized in the Archdiocese of Bangalore. Dolfy said, “Till now we have been silent, now on we will continue our agitation, until we reach the goal.”