Panaji, April 07: Its double trouble for beleaguered Goa Education Minister Atanasio Monserrate, who is facing the wrath of the opposition benches and intellectuals in the state for two different reasons.
Hours after the State Legislative Assembly”s session was adjourned following ruckus created by opposition benches over his detention at Mumbai airport, a group of intellectuals mounted pressure for his ouster from the Cabinet over his stand on the medium of instruction (MOI) issue.
The minister is wading trouble after opposition grabbed the opportunity of his detention at Mumbai airport for carrying Indian and foreign currency beyond permissible limit on his way to Dubai on Saturday.
His son, Rohit, is also being investigated by the Customs department as he was travelling with the minister on the fateful day.
Meanwhile, a rally by over 10,000 in the city today demanded that Monserrate be sacked from the Council of Ministers for attending a public rally meant to comment adversely on the present educational policy of state government.
The resolution adopted by the protestors of the Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch (BBSM) accused the minister of participating in a rally demanding a change in Right to Education Act, 2009.
A fortnight ago, Monserrate, along with several other Congress legislators, were the part of meeting organised by parents demanding English as MOI.
Monserrate has already stayed clear of the issue when he announced on the Floor of the House that Konkani and Marathi will remain as MOI.
The BBSM, however, is unsatisfied with his statement on the Floor of the House.
——–PTI