It looks surprising that some have said that those born before Goa's Liberation has Portuguese nationality as its "birthright". Political history showed why Portugal made Goa a "province" and named it Estado da India. To give such a legality to what Goa was then, just a colony, is a play on constitution.
It didn't fool the international community of nations. Neither did UNO take cognizance of such an Act. Pulling wool over the eyes of people was the aim of such an Act, and India was none the wiser with Portuguese. Now with the issue of Portuguese passports to those who desire, this issue of "birthright" has come to the fore. The India-Portugal treaty overrides any Acts that would be applicable to Goans after Goa came into the Indian fold. There was a blanket Indian citizenship to all Goans irrespective of their allegiance to Portugal. Can't ignore the fact that if staying in Goa, though some Portuguese laws are enforced in Goa, the Indian laws are applicable. As I said earlier in my opinion piece in OHeraldo, the Indian government can give an "amnesty" to Portuguese passpor-holders with a conditional time limit. Better these people go for OCI card. The Goa government must work with the centre to sort this problem lest all those in Goa suffer. Good that the issue has come up to the surface, for which we must thank both Caitu and Churchill. The issue can be settled for once and for all. Eugene