NT NETWORK
PANAJI
The Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch on Tuesday strongly opposed the central government’s move to set up an authority in the state over dual citizenship to those Goans who have obtained Portuguese nationality.
Terming the move as “antinational”, BBSM leader Arvind Bhatikar said that dual citizenship was contrary to the rules laid down in the Indian Constitution in Articles 5-9.
Addressing media persons in the presence of BBSM convenor and RSS’ Goa chief Subhash Velingkar and other BBSM leaders, Bhatikar said, “The BJP-led government is trying to appease the minorities vis-a-vis the dual citizenship and the MOI. The BJP is drawing the people towards antinationalism.”
The BBSM condemned Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju’s announcement on setting up of the authority in Goa to look into the issue of dual citizenship to those Goans who have opted for Portuguese citizenship.
Bhatikar said the BBSM was against dual citizenship to any citizen of the country as it is against nationalism.
Stating that the BBSM was firm on its decision to provide a political alternative to the BJP, Velingkar said the organization stands by its deadline of October 2 given to the government to withdraw the grants to primary schools with English as medium of instruction.
He stated, “We will wait till October 2 for the government to act on our demands, and if the government fails to meet the deadline then we will try to provide an alternative to the BJP for 2017 assembly elections.”
The people of Goa are disillusioned with the BJP and will defeat it in the next assembly elections if the government fails to keep its word on stopping the grants to the English primary schools, he said.
“It was this promise which got them elected in 2012 and the people will not spare those who cheat,” he added.
However, he refused to provide details when asked whether the alternative would be another national party or a regional party.
Velingkar said that taking a realistic stand which would not affect the student community and the education in general, the BBSM is in agreement for withdrawal of the grants to the English primary schools gradually in four years and not stopping them immediately.
Responding to a question on the lessons learnt from the changing stance of the BJP, and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar in particular, Velingkar said the one lesson everyone should learn is: do not believe politicians.
The BBSM will organise a token hunger strike on June 18 – Revolution Day – at 20 locations in the state.
Furthermore, the organization will boycott all the government functions and demonstrate and show black flags at all such functions including those of Parrikar.