Hundreds protest in Goa’s Panaji, demanding official status for Marathi

Hundreds of people under the banner of Marathi Rajbhasha Nirdhar Samiti took out a protest march toward the Goa Legislative Assembly in the capital on Monday, demanding official language status for Marathi in the state, the Goan reported.

The protesters gathered near the Kadamba Bus Stand before marching toward the Assembly premises, where a three-day session was scheduled to begin Monday.Police stopped the marchers on the Goa side of the Old Mandovi Bridge.

The protesters then squatted on the road, blocking vehicular traffic in both directions, according to media reports.

Police advised vehicles to take up the New Mandovi Bridge and asked motorists to make arrangements, adding, “Demonstrators have blocked the Old Mandovi Bridge on the Panaji side and consequently the Old Mandovi Bridge has been temporarily closed for vehicular traffic in both directions.”

The Samiti had stated it was aiming to mobilise close to 5,000 people to ensure the issue is addressed through a resolution and legislation to accord official status to the Marathi language in Goa. The Samiti also threatened to intensify its agitation if the state government failed to fulfil the demand during the Assembly session.