Mangaluru: Konkani artistes and writers have condemned the ‘murder’ of Konkani language by Karnataka Konkani Academy. In a press release, the Konkani Writers and Artistes’ Association (KWAA) has expressed its anguish saying Konkani Sahithya Academy which has been getting grant from the department of Kannada and Culture of government of Karnataka to the tune of Rs. 60 to 70 lakhs every year, is actually working against protecting and promoting the language.

Giving an example the KWAA has alleged that the Academy has organized a programme in association with the Post graduation department of Konkani, Mangalore University on 4th November 2017 and invitation of this programme is printed only in English. When the President of Konkani Sahithya Academy was asked about this gaffe by the KWAA members, he defended it saying “as it is Mangalore University programme it was inevitable to print the invite in English only”.

Writers and Artistes argue that since most of the participants in this programme, including resource persons are academicians and students of Post Graduate Department of the University, it is wrong to print the invite only in English. This is nothing but daylight murder of Konkani.

KWAA members say that they would write in this regard to the Chief Minister and also to the department of Kannada language and Culture, Government of Karnataka.