Official language, state and civil society: Issues concerning the implementation of the 'The Official Language Act' in Goa

Abstract

When Goa joined the Indian Union in 1961, India was already independent for over fifteen years. Various policies, including language policies were already in place in the Union. These included the policy of having linguistic states, whereby, though all languages need not have a separate state, every state would have a dominant language. This language would then be recognised as official language of the State. Accordingly, in the move to make Goa a state of India, it was imperative to recognise Konkani as the Official language. Though in 1967, the people of Goa rejected Goan identity with Maharashtra and by default, Marathi language, getting the people to recognise Konkani as official language was not an easy task. After a lot of mobilising, lobbying and compromise, Konkani was made the Official Language of Goa on 4 February 1987. But there have been complaints about the implementation of the Act. In this paper, I have examined the various issues pertaining to OLA and its implementation. Beginning by asserting the importance of language for the project of nation building, I have then tried to show how language issues in administration and governance form an integral aspect of nationism. I have then briefly sketched the Official languages that have dominated the public sphere in India right since ancient times. Specifically focusing on Goa, I have shown how inter-linkages between the state, public sphere and civil society have contributed in addressing the questions relating to the implementation of the OLA in Goa. Apart from using secondary sources like an examination of books, pamphlets and government documents, I have had extensive interviews with various players involved: government officials, language protagonists and members of the civil society.