On 15 August 1954 (the seventh anniversary of India's independence), a satyagraha was organized by Goese activists in India to march on Goa itself. Announcing the expectations of thousands and inviting the international press, the turnout was poor - a mere forty-nine volunteers. Nonetheless, entering from three points, one small group of about a dozen volunteers managed to occupy Fort Tiracol and raise the national flag of India on the ramparts, before the fort was retaken by the Portuguese police.
This turn of events coincided with a diplomatic resolution with France that same month, led to a shift in Indian strategy, away from direct actions urged by nationalist activists, and back to the more measured diplomatic approach originally favored by Nehru.
In mid-August, Nehru and Salazar exchanged diplomatic notes. An Indian proposal to allow neutral observers to assess the situation in Portuguese India was welcomed by Salazar, on the condition that they dedicate themselves to ascertaining the events of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and a guarantee that the question of sovereignty would not be on the agenda of any official meetings. The proposal got bogged down in negotiations over the details, and went nowhere.
On August 25, 1954, Nehru addressed the Lok Sabha, asserting that recent events had proved the anti-colonial movement in Goa was "an entirely Goan movement, popular and indigenous". But Nehru also insisted that India "may not adopt, advocate or bring about situations of violence", being incompatible with the non-violent principles "on which our very nationhood rests". Nehru's speech went on to assure the Portuguese that the "special circumstances" of culture, language, society and historical grouping in Goa would be respected in the Indian Union, "Laws and customs which are part of the social patterns of these areas ... will be respected and modifications will be sought only by negotiation and consent."
Nonetheless, the Portuguese stance remained unchanged. On 30 November, 1954, Salazar delivered an extended address to the Portuguese parliament, laying out the Portuguese position on Goa. Salazar dismissed India's claims to the territories as a 'fantasy', and lauded Goans for their steadfast patriotism in the face of 'Indian provocations'. He accused India's actions viz. Dadra and Nagar-Havelli as proof that her non-violence pledge was hollow and deceitful. Finally, probably with the Archbishop of Bombay in mind, Salazar also subtly accused the Holy See of complicity, of trying to destroy the Portuguese state in Goa in an effort to strengthen the church in India itself.
On July 1950 was terse and unequivocal, the letter of the Portuguese prime minister, António de Oliveira Salazar to the Indian memorandum Portugal was willing to discuss anything and everything with India, except the question of sovereignty. The Portuguese territories of Goa, Damman and Diu were not colonies but integral parts of Portugal itself, its inhabitants were full Portuguese citizens and had popular sentiment exhibited no desire to be united with Indian Union. Portugal was ready to discuss and compromise over any complications that might arise over her continued presence on the subcontinent, but Portuguese sovereignty was non-negotiable.
Portugal lodged a suit against the Indian Union before the International Court of Justice in The Hague, accusing India of violating international law for provocating armed crisis along Goa’s border. The government was now faced with a tricky lawsuit at the ICJ that might unravel the legal basis of the Indian position.
After blocking the Shipping route to Goa, in June 1955, Nehru addressed the activists, "If you are under the impression that the Government will take police action or use force to liberate Goa .... You are entirely mistakenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Walrasiad/Goa - cite_note-9. Nehru refused to endorse marches on Goa planned for that summer. Nonetheless, on July 25, Nehru ordered the Portuguese mission in New Delhi to leave.
In April 1960, the verdict of the ICJ was finally announced - and it was decidedly irresolute. It upheld the Portuguese sovereign claim to Goa, and confirmed the Portuguese accusation that India had acted unlawfully. Although a legal victory for Portugal, it was a practical victory for India.
In mid-December, 1960, a series of rapid steps in the United Nations General Assembly suddenly chipped away at Portugal's legal position. First, on December 14, was the UN General Assembly Resolution 1514 (XV), the declaration of principle urging all countries to take steps to place their colonies and non-self-governing territories on the road to self-determination in accordance with Article 73 of the UN Charter. As expected, Portugal immediately claimed this resolution did not apply to them, as she had no colonies, just overseas provinces, constitutionally integral to the nation, and thus exempt. So, this was followed up on December 15 by resolution 1541 laying out the 12 conditions allowing the UNGA to determine the definition of a non-self-governing territory. This was immediately followed by resolution 1542 declaring that nine Portuguese overseas provinces (incl. Goa, Daman and Diu) met these conditions and ought to be considered "non-self-governing" territories for the purposes of resolution 1514, even if the Portuguese constitution does not recognize them as such.
The Portuguese line about Portugal being a peaceful, harmonious multi-cultural, multi-racial state quickly unraveled in February 1961 with the uprising in Angola. That is when things began moving quickly again. Nehru was increasingly placed under pressure by African leaders, outraged by the events in Angola, to abandon the passive stance on Goa he had taken since 1955, and resume action on Goa and that led to untimely demise of Goa as Sovereign state by forceful Indian occupation and rest is history.
Salazar was defending Portugal multiracial, from Europe to Timor (De Minho à Timor - Lusotropicalismo, one nation basead in the history of Portugal. Nehru, to him, perhaps it was impossible to understand such idea, one nation formed of diferent races. Still today mostly people don`t understand such idea and the word "Liberation of Goa" may have the meaning that Goa (EIP) has been liberated of european people, in this case "white" portuguese people.
ReplyDeleteNehru was a liar and a b.....t.......rd. He was after women and sex. He along with the dirty malbari Menon planned the whole gig and invaded Goa. And the other dirt bag was soviet union (Russia) who supported the SOB Nehru and M.....r F.......r Menon.
ReplyDeleteThe Satyagrahis were Mostly Indians and not Goans and it makes no Sense they are Fighting for Goan Liberation because they were sponsored by Indian Union Government.
ReplyDeleteThe uprisings in Angola were Sponsored by the Soviet Union, Indian Unions main ally during Cold War. Immediately after Portuguese left Angola there was a Civil War in Angola again sponsored by Soviet Union to make it a Communist Country.
Even Jawaharlal Nehru, had acknowledged just before his death, that the Invasion of Portuguese Estado da India was the biggest mistake of his political career.
Today Angola is a member of CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries) but Goa, Damão e Diu is Not.
Unfortunately after the Indian invasion and forced occupation We Goans have lost the will to be united. We were always relaxed (Susagad) before the invasion and are relaxed to this date. Had it not been for the Soviet Union and their Cold War with the west may be the story of India's Invasion could have been different, Nevertheless that being the past can we Goans Unite to save Goa from the sharks? That is the least we can do for our Mother Goa.
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