Goa, Nov. 1 -- Members of the Marathi Rajbhasha Nirdhar Samiti - Mormugao Block staged a protest dharna at the Mormugao Municipal premises, opposing the government's decision to make Konkani the sole language criterion for eligibility in government jobs.

Protesters condemned the move as discriminatory and unjust, alleging that it ignored the linguistic and cultural significance of Marathi in Goa. They pointed out that Marathi has long been a widely spoken and respected language in the state and holds deep historical and cultural roots in Goan society.

The demonstrators demanded that Marathi be granted equal status alongside Konkani in government recruitment criteria. They urged citizens across Goa to unite in support of linguistic equal...