People of younger generations may not know about Goa’s liberation episode of the history. Goa was earlier ruled by Portugal for centuries.
Liberation of Goa
The Portuguese colonised India in 1510, conquering many parts of the western coast and establishing several colonies in the east. By the end of the 19th century, Portuguese colonies in India were limited to Goa, Daman ,Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli .
People of Goa , have started struggle to get the independence from Portugese rule from late 19th century and they were touch with Indian leaders who were fighting with British rule for their independence. It was mutual co operation from both the ends, but Portugal was never ready to give freedom to Goans. There were many Goan leaders who sacrificed their life for the freedom of Goa.
However, on 3 August 1947, Lohia announced that Goa’s independence would not coincide with Indian national independence and that the Goans would have to continue their struggle, “not just for civil liberties, but for freedom itself
The failure of Goa to achieve independence within the national independence struggle, in conjunction with mixed signals from the new national Indian leadership in new Delhi and harsh repression by the Portuguese, led to a temporary lull in the Goan independence movement. Similarly, the partition of India and the Indo Pak war of 1947 diverted the focus of the national Indian leadership from the anti-colonial struggles in the Portuguese and French Colonies.
Following national Indian independence, a separate demand for independence was raised by Dr Froilono de Mello, a prominent Goan microbiologist and MP in the Portugese National Assembly.
In 1953, Tristao de Braganca Cunha formed the Goa Action Committee to coordinate the various anti-colonial groups working independently in Bombay. Goans and non-Goans offered satyagraha in solidarity with the struggle
In Goa, the anti-colonial movement had evolved into two camps, which advocated distinct anti-colonial strategies. The National Congress Goa utilised peaceful satyagraha tactics, while Azad Gomantak Dal advocated revolutionary methods.
A year later, another protest was organised on the same date. The Jana Sangh leader, Karnataka Kesari Jaggannathrao Joshi, led 3,000 protesters including women, children and Indians from Maharashtra side , through the Goa border. The security forces batoncharged the protesters and opened fire on the satyagrahis, resulting in several deaths and hundreds of injuries.
As Portugal was now a member of NATO, the Indian government was reticent to react to the situation.. Hence, in order for India to avoid NATO involvement in Goa, the Indian government was impeded from speaking out against Portugal’s response to satyagraha protest actions
In 1954, the Goa Vimochan Sahayak Samiti (All-Party Goa Liberation Committee), was formed with the aim of continuing the civil disobedience campaign and providing financial and political assistance to the satyagrahis. The Maharashtra and Gujarat chapters of the Praja Socialist Party assisted the liberation committee, motivated by an agenda for independent Goa to merge into Maharashtra state.With the exception of a small number of satyagrahas and the activities of them. On 18 June 1954, Satyagrahis infiltrated Goa and hoisted the Indian flag; however, the demonstrators and suspected sympathisers were arrested, and anti-colonialist activisit Dr. Gaitonde and Shriyut Deshpande were deported to Portugal.
In the mean while Indian Govt was trying with diplomatic effort so that Portugal agrees for acceding the territory to India , but when all efforts failed then India decided to take military action, which happened between 18th & 19th Dec 1961
The Indian army attacked Goa from the north, the moves began on two fronts. At 5 am troops entered Goa via Matna. They moved forward to Pilligao and then to Banastarim. Another platoon entered from Dodamarg around 6.30 am. There was resistance from Portugese army, but locals helped Indian troops. The troops reached Betim which is very close to Panjim (now Panji) and then reached Panjim around 5 pm. On hearing the firing and approaching Indian troops, the Portugese flag at Goa Sectretariat was lowered and white flag was hoisted to indicate the surrender. Actually the Portugese authorities have realised that Indian troops gave entered Goa from all directions (North, East and South) . With every advancement , the Indian troops captured all the major towns of Goa. So white flag was raised and surrender was indicated. Indian army took over all the public buildings, banks, treasury, police station. Post office etc.
Indian Govt declared Goa, along with Daman, Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli as Union territories.
In October 1962,Panchayat Elections were held in Goa, followed by assembly elections in December 1962. On 16 January 1967, a referendum was held in which the people of Goa voted against merger with Maharashtra. Portugal recognised Goa’s accession into the Indian union only in 1974. In 1987, Goa was separated from Daman & Diu and made a full-fledged state. Daman & Diucontinued as a new Union Territory.
Due to an unabated influx of people from all over India to Goa, the native Goan people have begun to fear for their identity and culture. There are growing calls for the government of India to grant Goa, Special status so that the local government can regulate in-migration and stop the sale of land to non-Goans.
Presently Goa has become one of the biggest tourist attraction in India because of its beaches, cheap alcohol and the natural beauty.
Awaiting for your comments/feed backs/views on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
7th Feb 2019
Bobby
Good reading and well presented facts. Thank you
R. N. Mungale.
Good should have been liberated much earlier.