19th December, Goa Liberation Day

A golden phase in the freedom struggle

Goa liberation struggle:

19^th December, Goa Liberation Day. On this day, the Portuguese left Goa. Indian army was successful. The small but important state of Goa was liberated. Tricolour hoisted over Goa. The destruction of Goan people, which started from the time the Portuguese set foot on the land of Goa in 1510, ended on December 19, 1961, after almost four and a half hundred (450) years.

Goa is the smallest state in case of area and the fourth smallest state in terms of population. Goa is famous all over the world for its beautiful beaches and folk culture. Goa was a Portuguese colony.

Portuguese entered Goa in 1510:

Goa has always attracted everyone since it is bestowed with natural beauty. The Portuguese were similarly attracted. They entered Goa in 1510 with the intention of establishing a trading colony. 

At that time Adil Shah of Bijapur ruled Goa. After overthrowing the power of Adil Shah, the Portuguese established their power in Goa. India was ruled by British and Goa, Daman and Diu by the Portuguese. On 15^th August 1947, the British lost power in India. But the liberation of Goa was delayed. When the rest of the people of the country were breathing the air of freedom, Goans were still facing the atrocities.

First spark of Goa Liberation struggle:

Although countless activists were working underground to free Goa from the yoke of Portuguese, the first spark was ignited by Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya.

Dr. Lohiya was invited by his friend Juliao Menezes to rest for a few days; when he got to see the restrictions imposed by the Portuguese on the Goans.

 He was disturbed to see the exploitation of the Goans and violation of basic rights of Goans by the Portuguese government. He raised his voice against the Portuguese by holding a public meeting at Madgaon on 18 June 1946. This meeting got an unprecedented response. On this occasion, the citizens felt that there is someone who listens to the clamour of Goan people. This was the first spark of the Goa Liberation struggle.

Participation of those who took the path of armed revolution:

During this period, a new generation emerged from Goan soil. In this, many youths like Prabhakar Sinari, Mohan Ranade, Bala Mapari, Vishwanath Lawande came forward. Youth from villages along with these freedom fighters took the path of armed revolution. Armed forces like Azad Gomantak Dal were formed, many youths participated in it. This team was led by Prabhakar Sinari. This armed force successfully carried out many small and big attacks against the Portuguese. Maharashtra also gave valuable support in this struggle. Moreover, people of different views had gathered in this. Many activists from different ideologists united with the consensus that Goa should get independence and conducted themselves in their own way.

Dr. Cunha, the father of the nationalist movement in Goa:

Many freedom fighters participated in this struggle through Satyagraha, among them were Dr. T.B. Cunha, Purushottam Kakodkar, Dr. Juliao Menezes and others. Dr. T.B. Cunha is considered as the father of nationalist movement in Goa. He was sentenced to jail for eight years in Portugal. He was released from there in 1953. After that he started two newspapers named Azad Goa and Swatantra Goa. But unfortunately he died before seeing Goa Liberated.

The Liberation war of 1961 was a very important stage:

The freedom fighters continued their fight without waiting for the orders of the Indian Government. Finally on 18 December 1961, the Indian Government ordered the army to take action through “Operation Vijay”. The Indian army and the freedom fighters were successful in confounding the Portuguese government. The Portuguese army opened heavy fire on freedom fighters at Patradevi, many of them lost their lives.

Finally on 19 December 1961 at ten o’clock in the night, Portuguese Governor Vasal da Silva signed the surrender document and handed it over to the Indian Army chief. Goa was finally freed from 450 years of Portuguese slavery.

After the war of 1961, Portuguese rule in India came to an end. The region of Goa, Daman and Diu was completely freed. The 1961 war or Operation Vijay thus was the last and most important phase of the process of Liberation of Goa. This operation was a decisive part of the Goa Liberation movement.