Remembering Goa's revolution

Though the Goans revolted against the Portuguese rule on several occasions, the leaders did not achieve success in eliminating the autocratic regime totally. The struggle for liberating Goa from the Portuguese rule, in real sense, began when the movements for India's struggle for freedom had gained momentum. 

The newly educated Goans, irrespective of their caste and religion, had begun to understand how and why the Portuguese were able to rule Goa for a long period. The leaders like Lokmanya Tilak, Mahatma Gandhiji, Bhagat Singh had influenced the Goans about the Swaraj, Satyagraha and revolutionary ideas. On October 5, 1910, a Republic was proclaimed in Portugal and the barriers that separated Goa politically and socially from the rest of India, were also being reduced. Under the leadership of T. B. Cunha, Goa Congress Committee was established in Bombay, with the objective of fighting for civil liberties for Goans. This committee on March 3, 1946 passed a resolution asking the Portuguese to leave the shores of Goa, Daman and Diu.

The Hindu of Dattatraya Pai, the Bharat of Govind Pundalik Hegde Desai, in the Pracasha, the columns of Luis de Menezes Braganza campaigned vigorously, awakening the Goan masses. However, a strong challenge was put forward by Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia by lighting the torch of the freedom movement on June 18, 1946. He openly defied the Portuguese government orders against holding a public meeting at Margao. Before he could deliver his speech he was arrested and forced to leave Goa. However, he instilled a sense of boldness and courage to stand up against the oppressive and unjust rule.

On August 15, 1947, India achieved freedom soon after Indian independence, on November 25, 1947, Salazar, the Prime Minister of Portugal, delivered a speech in the Portuguese National Assembly saying that, 'If geographically Goa is India, it is Europe socially, religiously and culturally.' The Goan leaders by taking inspiration from Ram Manohar Lohia's ideas and deeds continued to struggle for liberating Goa from the yoke of the Portuguese rule. With the liberation of Dadra and Nagar Haveli in July-August 1954, the Satyagraha movements gained momentum under the National Congress Goa in 1954 and again in 1955. The organizations like Azad Gomantak Dal, the Rancour Patriotica, the United Front of Goans, the Goan People's Party, the Goa Liberation Army and others made the Portuguese government more difficult to rule by launching armed struggle.

In the liberation movement, Bala Raya Mapari from Moite, Assonora became the first martyr. After him Balkrishna Bhonsle, Camil Pereira, Suresh Kerkar, Bapu Gawas and many more died for the cause of Goa's Liberation. Alongwith the Goans, from other parts of India, Nityanand Saha, Pannalal Yadav, Karnail Singh Benipal, Sheshnath Wadekar, Hirve Guruji and many more became the victim of the Portuguese wrath.

Total 32 freedom fighters who were youths from various parts of India died in the Satyagraha held at Patradevi and Castle-rock for Goa's liberation. India's independence was completed with the attainment of Goa's Liberation.