New Delhi: As India celebrates its 77th Independence Day on Tuesday, one state in the country will not. The state is Goa. All Indian regions, with the exception of Goa, became independent from colonial rule at the stroke of midnight on August 15, 1947.
Goa was still governed by the Portuguese, who had been in charge of the state for more than 450 years when India gained freedom from British authority in 1947. Portuguese colonists were among the earliest in India and the last to depart. Goa was invaded by the Portuguese in 1510, and as a result, the state saw several changes and citizens were subjected to horrific torture. It was only in 1946 that Goa started witnessing the beginning of the end of Portuguese rule in India.
Ram Manohar Lohia established the Civil Disobedience Movement after visiting Goa in June 1946 and learning about the state’s situation.
The movement quickly acquired popularity among young fighters and leaders in Goa, and Prabhakar Vitthal Sinari founded the Azad Gomantak Dal (AGD) with a few of his close men. Later, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) teamed up with the revolutionary group that had fought the Portuguese in Goa.With the help of nationalists from other states, the AGD eventually expanded into the United Front of Liberation, which launched attacks first to free Naroli, Dadra, and Nagar Haveli from Portuguese colonies, then in Goa. Under the leadership of then-Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, India decided that military intervention was required to reunite Goa with the rest of the nation and put an end to the decades-long rule of Portuguese overseas provinces in the area after a number of failed discussions.Operation Vijay, a coordinated military campaign by the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, launched an assault on Portuguese Goa on December 18, 1961, which at the time had just 3,300 Portuguese soldiers. Manuel António Vassalo-e Silva, the deposed governor general, finally consented to surrender. At 6pm on December 18, the Portuguese flag in front of the Secretariat was lowered, and a white flag was raised to signify surrender. Major General Candeth raised the Indian flag in front of the Secretariat the next morning, December 19.
Thus, Goans observe and celebrate Goa Liberation Day on December 19.
