Jose Colaco: Are we saying that Nehru too was a 'Salazar' of sorts? Wasn't he the champion of autonomy and self-determination along with Nasser and Sukarno and Tito (all maha-dictators in their own rights) ?
Response: It is a million dollar question whether Goa would have been granted special status had Nehru lived longer. Nehru was a true democrat and respected the unique culture of Goa. That is why, Goa was made into a Union Territory and centrally administered from Delhi. However, the Indo-China war of 1962 came as a big blow to Nehru and virtually crippled him. Thereafter, he was a sick man and died soon after in 1964. I personally believe having read reports of that time (1961) that Nehru would have extended Article 371 to Goa had he lived longer. However, surprisingly, I have not come across reports about goans of that time demanding special status for Goa. Perhaps I may be missing something. Regards, Marshall
