NEHRU LIBERATED GOA DESPITE INTERNATIONAL PRESSURES –
SHANTARAM NAIK MAKES SPECIAL MENTION IN RAJYA SAHBA
In a special mention made in the Rajya Sabha today on the occasion of
50th Anniversary of Goa’s liberation, Mr. Shantaram Naik MP, said that
it was Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, who, disregarding the opinion of major
powers who were against any operation by India, ordered the military to
march into Goa on 18th December, 1961.
It was the policy of peace that took some years before Pandit Jawaharlal
Nehru could say “Enough is Enough” and took the action to liberate Goa.
Mr. Naik said the freedom fighters from Goa were assisted by several
other freedom fighters from Maharashtra, Karnataka, Punjab and other
States from time to time.
Mr. Naik also said that despite foreign rule of such a long period Goans
retained their religious and customary rights.
After the liberation of Goa, Goans were given an opportunity through an
opinion poll, to decide between merger into Maharashtra and the status
of Union Territory, he said.
Mr. Naik said that subsequently in 1987 he was privileged to get an
opportunity to raise the issue of Goa’s statehood in the Lok Sabha and
the then Prime Minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi, went out of way and responded
to concede the statehood there and there.
This was rare gesture on behalf of the Prime Minister of the country,
which Goa will always remembers, he said.
Goa was granted statehood on 30th May 1987. Konkani is the official
language of the State and the same has also been included in the 8th
Schedule of the constitution.
At the commencement of the session, the Chairman Shri Hamid Ansari made
special reference to the 50th Anniversary of Goa Celebration. A one
minute silence was observed to pay homage to those who laid down their
lives for the liberation of Goa.
Shantaram Naik
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