Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Goa/Goa_never_a_part_of_Karnataka_Histori ans_/articleshow/3438761.cms
Goa, never a part of Karnataka: Historians Goan activists and historians are upset with Karnataka's claim that Goa is a part of their state, even if, as Karnataka says, this was a typo. While the issue was raised in the recently-concluded Assembly session, where it was noted as "a grave threat to the territorial integrity of Goa" , and even though both state governments have played the issue down, doubt lingers amongst the Goan milieu. Prashant Naik, spokesperson of Goa Hith Rakhan Manch, an organisation that stands for the protection of Goan identity told TOI, "We object to the statement in the affidavit and oppose it. Even if it is a typing mistake, we strongly object to it and ask the Goa government to clarify the issue." Vision India, another non government organisation (NGO), also protests the statement. Convenor, Sushrut Martins said, "This is not an error. How can there be an error when the reply is filed by the chief secretary of the state, with the guidance of the advocate general? This has been written on purpose." The controversy arose after it was brought to light that the Karnataka government had filed an "objection statement" (paragraph 13) before the Supreme Court containing the line "it reserves the right to file the full history of Goa to show that Goa is part of Karnataka" . Karnataka now says this was an oversight, where the word "is" appeared instead of "was". But even if it was not an inadvertent error, can historical ties that date back centuries impart license to a state to claim a land as its own? Olivinho Gomes, former professor , Goa University said, "You can't say that historically Goa was a part of Karnataka, because Karnataka didn't exist at that time. There were rulers from that area who ruled over our living space." Prajal Sakhardande, historian, added, "Following the Bhojas, all the dynasties that ruled over us came from Karnataka. Because of the rule of these dynasties, they think Goa is theirs, and are trying to use a historical connection to stake a claim on Goa." But it is not just being ruled over by somebody that gives one the right to make a claim. Historians believe that the independence of a land can be gauged by its culture and identity as well. "The fact that we had our own language and our own script is evidence of our separate cultural identity . When Kanada used the h a l l e k a n a d a script, our people were using a modified script called Kandvi, which the Kanada people called Goyn Kannadi. All our village records were written in that script till the 19th century," said Gomes, asserting Goa's cultural independence. There's hurt too at the suggestion that Goa could be a part of Karnataka. "They (Karnataka ) are trying to threaten the existence of Goa," said Sakhardande. "Goan temperament has never been one of violence. It took us 450 years to get freedom. We are a secular and tolerant society, but other states should not play with our emotions," stressed Naik. And then there are those who suggest a future course of action in the issue. Said Martins, "Goa has to file an intervening petition in the case, so that we are aware of the progress of the case and not wake up after a verdict is given by the Supreme Court." No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.169 / Virus Database: 270.6.17/1657 - Release Date: 06/09/2008 20:07
