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Thanks Paulo, Rui, Oscar and Tony for advancing this dialogue. The following
correspondence makes the point which Paulo overlooked in his analysis of the
Salazar (and his puppets) regime's interactions with the Goan populace.
There is a wide span ranging from a silent bystander, to a silent protestor, to
an activist in thought, to a non-violent freedom fighter, to being a terrorist
engaging in violence. I am surprised and disappointed that Paulo in 2007
(knowing the history from Gandhi to Martin Luther to Mandela) would provide
just two categories of "freedom fighters" - terrorist or innocent victim. Even
the judges in 1950-60 should have know these differences, if they followed
Gandhi's non-violent response to colonialism. To me the Goan Judicial system
together with its enforcement arm the police force including the PIDE was in
cooperation / co opting / co-conspirator (in case of criminal dictatorship) in
propping up the Salazar regime in Goa.
Should not the Judicial system in Goa in 1950s have taken a stand on the
punishment netted to Dr. Pundolica Gaitonde, a well known and well established
surgeon in Goa just for saying "Eu Protesto / I protest" at a social party?
Granted that was not much to claim the mantle of a freedom fighter. Yet the
punishment ended his medical career / livelihood in Goa.
This is just one example which speaks for his tragedy and that of many other
human / family situations within Goa in 1950-1961. Goans deserve an apology
from the Goan Judicial system for this crime. To me, to pass the blame onto
Salazar and his laws is to add insult to injury by continuing to under-estimate
our intelligence.
Kind Regards, GL
"Rui Collaco and Tony Martin"
>>In a recent post Gilbert Lawrence cites Dr.
>>Gaitonde as an example of the freedom fighters who "sacrificed their personal
>>interests" for the sake of Goa's freedom.
Dr Gaitonde was incidentally elected President of the National Congress, Goa in
1960. But I personally don't think Dr Gaitonde sacrificed anything for the sake
of Goa's freedom.
>>Indeed Dr. Gaitonde is an excellent example of those very few genuine Goans
>>who fought the Portuguese.
Tony Martin: I personally don't think Dr Gaitonde 'fought' for Goa's freedom.
He is well known primarily for his two defiant words of protest. The occasion
was a farewell party organised by the Portuguese for a retiring judge Semundo
on 14th February 1954. One Dr Colaco raising a toast on the occasion said, ?Goa
is a part of Portugal. It is Portugal only.? And Dr. Gaitonde, who was present
for the party promptly responded ?Eu Protesto? (I protest). Dr Gaitonde and his
wife were arrested and deported to Portugal where he was sentenced to three
months imprisonment or a fine of 40 escudos per day. He was also ordered not to
live Portugal for five years. But this sanction was removed in May 1955.
It is obvious that Dr Gaitonde had good connections with the Portuguese
particularly as his wife was a Portuguese national. And what was Dr Gaitonde
doing at their party? Also considering that given their cold-blooded nature he
could get away with only a small fine for his gross transgression. And the fact
that sanctions against him not to leave Portugal for five years were removed
even before a year speaks of his clout with the Portuguese.
>>What GL did not say, unfortunately, is that a few years after the end-result
>>of his struggle, Dr. Gaitonde left his "liberated" Goa and settled in London,
>>disillusioned with the course of events and the ways of the "liberators".
Tony martin: Dr Gaitonde certainly did not leave Goa disillusioned with the
course of events and the ways of the "liberators". It was a matter of his
personal convenience and choice. Rest is rhetoric.
