Konkani writers urge CM to cancel grant to Mandd Sobhann over hate campaign

Mangaluru, Aug 31: Konkani Writers and Artistes Association (KWAA) has accused Mangaluru-based Mandd Sobhann, a recipient of government grant, of indulging in character assassination and abuse of leading Konkani writers and artistes. The association has charged Mandd Sobhann Gurkar Eric Ozario of using yellow journals and web media for using derogatory language to abuse leading Konkani luminaries.

In a letter to the Chief Minister the association says Eric Ozario has used unparliamentarily words to insult the proud son of Karnataka, Melvyn Rodrigues, who is also the Sahithya Academy Award winner as spineless and a man who has no essential body organs below the waist'. He has also abused writers and artistes calling Gowda Saraswath Brahmins (Konkane) as fathers of Konkani artistes and writers. He has also likened Konkani writers to Koragas (Harijans) comparing them to those who used to wait outside homes of people to eat leftover food and thus indulged in caste abuse.

In its bylaws Mandd Sobhann which is registered under Society's Registration Act clearly states that it works for the unity, integrity and communal harmony of Konkanis spread across Karnataka, Goa, Cochin, Diu and Daman without discriminating them on religious bases as Hindus, Christians and Mulsims. The different types of scripts used to write Konkani language is used as a tool by Mandd Sobhann to create discord between Konkani speaking people of Goa and Karnataka.

To carry out these evil activities it has established several letterhead organisations making Shakthinagar as its base. Eric Ozario is the Gurkar of all these letterhead organisations and the mastermind behind the various wicked activities carried out through them. In the name of these organisations he holds press conference and creates a fear among people saying he would organize public protests and is also creating an atmosphere of fear in the minds of common Konkani speaking people. He is also resorting to character assassination of eminent Konkani writers and artistes by using web media and yellow journals.

It is a matter of great concern to note that the state government has allotted Rs. 2.5 crore grant in the 2016 budget for Mandd Sobhann which is blatantly carrying out disruptive acts like caste abuse, insults, , maligning name of writers and is creating hatred and ill-will among Konkani speaking people belonging to different religions. This is in fact giving credence to the prevailing belief among the enlightened people of Mangalore that by giving grant to Mandd Sobhann government is encouraging this institution which is inimical to promoting harmonious relationship.

Taking into consideration all these aspects KWAA members have written a letter to the Chief Minister of Karnataka requesting him to withhold the grant given to Mandd Sobhann and also to cancel its registration as part of the disciplinary action. Office bearers of KWAA Ronald J Sequeira, Florine Roche, Roshan Madtha and Member Henry Mendonca handed over the letter to the Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada along with suitable records to substantiate the charges. Copies of the letter have been sent to the Chief Minister of Goa, the Prime Minister, and to the Ministry of Human Resource Development, government of India.