Goa's Valid Claim Team GS Jawaharlal Nehru's speech Former PM Jawaharlal Nehru made this speech in Bombay on June 4, 1956, five years before Goa was liberated after 450 years of Portuguese rule. Excerpts: "If the people of Goa, that is minus the Portuguese government - if and when the Portuguese go and the people of Goa deliberately wish to retain their separate identity - I am not going to bring them by force or compulsion or coercion into the Indian Union. I merely say that my national interest involves the removal of the Portuguese from Goa, not coercion being used in bringing about the union of Goa with India, although I wish it, I desire it and it is the only solution. That is a matter ultimately for the people of Goa to decide. I want to make it perfectly clear that I have no desire to coerce Goa to join India against the wishes of the people of Goa. But the point is that we feel that Goa's individuality should remain and that whenever the time comes for any changes, internal or other, it will be for the people of Goa acting freely to decide upon them".
When he came to visit Goa in 1963, Nehru reiterated his earlier promise to preserve, protect and nurture this unique culture and identity of Goa. Goa's Valid Claim Jammu and Kashmir and North eastern states have been conferred Special Status on the basis of difficult terrain, because they are border states or because their majority population is tribal. Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa, and Puducherry, even Rajasthan and now, Bihar have joined the me-too chorus. Most of these states demand Special Status because they are backward and the sub-text to this is that they want the central government to fork out more money. But Goa has made it clear it wants no financial input and that it should be given Special Status only so it can preserve its heritage. Is that too much to ask? Why Goa deserves Special Status a) The Customary law and procedure, its language, culture and ethos. b) Ownership and transfer of land and the exploitation of its resources and the preservation of its natural and architectural heritage. c) The regulation of entry and settlement of persons who are not of Goan origin/migrants. d) Establishment of industries and employment therein. e) Protection of age-old traditional institutions such as Gaumkaris (Comunidades-village communities) and their assets. f) Protection of the original SCs, STs and Gounli (Dhangars) belonging to the state. Benefits of Special Status 1) Will reduce in-migration so that Goa's resources like land, water can be better managed and distributed. 2) Will create conditions where Goa's unique culture and identity will thrive and grow. 3) Will lower prices and better the quality of life of Goans as the clamour for homes, schools, roads, hospitals from non Goans will come down. 4) Will reduce crime, which has gone up because of migration. 5) Romi Konkani will thrive. http://www.goanspirit.com/index.php/lead/246-goa-s-valid-claim ~Avelino
