Question

Explain the nature of the Goa liberation struggle.

Answer 1

1. The movement of liberating Goa from Portuguese rule had begun during pre-independence times only. In 1928 ‘Goa Congress Committee’ was founded in Mumbai. Dr. T. B. Kunha was the president of this committee. In 1929, Goa Congress Committee became an integral branch of the Indian National Congress.
2. In 1939, posters with ‘Quit Goa’ slogans were posted all over Goa. Francis Mascarenhas, the President of the United Goan Front unfurled the Indian flag in Goa.
3. Later, after returning to India, he started publishing two newspapers, namely, ‘Azad Goa’ and ‘Swatantra Goa’.
4. In 1954, the ‘Goa Vimochan Sahayak Samiti’ was founded at Pune. Keshavarao Jedhe, N. G. Gore and Jayantrao Tilak took on the responsibility of directing the movement. Some groups who volunteered for the cause of Goa’s liberation marched to Goa under the leadership of N. G. Gore and Senapati Bapat.
5. The strong public sentiments in the matter of Goa’s liberation moved Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to act on it. A mission was planned under the code name, ‘Operation Vijay’.
6. Indian army descended in Goa to accomplish the mission. The army was helped by local civilians as well. They showed the army the places where the Portuguese had planted landmines.
7. The Portuguese surrendered within 48 hours. On 19th December 1961 Goa became a part of the Indian Republic. The foreign rule of 450 years came to an end.