Panaji: A body of college students that has confronted Manohar Parrikar-led BJP government over its stand on the medium of instruction in Elementary Education Policy will join hands with Aam Aadmi Party in run-up to elections, as the latter has supported its cause.
The students, drawn from various colleges, under the banner of Goa Rakhan Manch (GRM or Save Goa Forum) are known for organising hard-hitting street plays and running campaigns on Facebook against those at the helm.
"We have decided to do hand-holding with AAP who is also supportive of our cause," GRM leader Yugank Naik told a press conference here in presence of AAP leaders.
He said Parrikar government had acted in a "dictatorial manner" in implementing the medium of instruction in elementary education "bypassing our demand to have Konkani and Marathi as languages of instruction".
"Parrikar appointed the committee headed by himself which was in violation of the Right to Education Act. GRM has demanded that experts should decide on medium of instruction and not politicians," Naik said.
Another GRM leader Rajdeep Naik, a noted Konkani stage artist, said the Forum will hold street plays across the state educating people against the BJP and Congress, and will rally behind AAP.
"The street play is penned by group members. There is no single author for it," Naik said, adding the street play would be shot and uploaded on Facebook for the masses to watch it.
GRM was formed when Digambar Kamat-led Congress government was at helm against the "flip flops" by rulers on the medium of instruction policy.
The group was subsequently renamed as Goa Rakhan Manch when Parrikar government was sworn in. The Parrikar government has more or less remained non-committal on the issue.
AAP has fielded Swati Kerkar from South Goa seat and Dattaram Desai from North Goa.
