I beg to differ with certain remarks or possibly presumptions by Selma. Catholics and Hindus for a large part mixed socially and culturally. That is why we have Mandos involving lyrics from both communities. Hindus also held high post in Portuguese Administration along with Catholics. Hindus and Catholics, whether literate or illiterate, mixed in both religious celebrations and other festivities and they still do. You can see so many Hindus paying respects to St. Francis Xavier, Our Lady at Mapsa feast, etc. The Muslims too though very limited in number as compared to present times, were also social. Portugal had good relations with the Persia and that was why even Prince Agha Khan (Karim Al Husseini) visited Goa in the late 1950s and we have the Garden in Margao named after him. (Agha Khan Park).
Discrimination and harassment of minorities, what Selma speaks is different from communal ideology. In my perception this communal ideology derives its roots from a phobia of turning inferior and so depriving other of their free will or freedom. There have been no forceful conversions to Christianity in India as claimed; but yes, there were forceful re-conversions to Hinduism under threats and duress. Here too in Goa we see the MoI incident. Why deprive the poor an education in English? Is it because the rich who are protesting under the banner of BBSM can afford unaided schools? Dr. Ferdinando dos Reis Falcão.
