Granted that Portugal still considers Goans born before 1961 as its citizens but, as JC mentioned in an earlier post, they need to "reaffirm" their citizenship. In other words, these Goans must reclaim their citizenship that they had legally lost after India's gave a blanket citizenship to Goans. In reality Goans who haven't reaffirm their Portuguese citizenship are "latent" citizens of that country. In order to get rid of this "latent" citizenship those Goans who don't wish to have this label must renounce their citizenship. I thought that after the signing of the treaty between India and Portugal whatever claims Portugal had over Goa and Goans became null and void. True, the Opinion Poll has no bearing on the citizenship aspect. It was to decide if Goa was to remain separate or merge with Maharashtra. A Referendum coul only be held if India wanted Goans to decide if Goa had to became a separate nation. But that's what India didn't want on the ground that Goa was an integral part of India. So, the confusion prevails. Portugal providing Portuguese citizenship to Goans who desire doesn't matter to India. Such Goans can avail themselves of the OCI card which allows lot of privileges including buying property, except agricultural land. THe OCI card is the best route India chose for those Indians with foreign passports. The OCI is to be seen as a life-long visa to India. An OCI card-holder cannot India on the basis of the OCI booklet but must carry along the passport of his or her own country. Those ranting on the Niz Goenkar site don't want themselves to be known as Indians and most of them sought Portuguese nationality while holding Indian passports. Many of the commentators on the site believe that they are "forced" to be Indians as they don't accept that Goa was taken forcefully by India. It's a waste of time to make them understand that the diplomatic efforts on the part of India failed to convince Portugal to leave peacefully. I have said many times that if Salazar wanted he could have given Goa to Goans to rule but his foolishness prevented him from doing so. Making Goa Estado da India was a camouflage that India refused to accept. That's my point of view and I wish not to engage in the Liberation/Annexation debate again on this forum. India probably doesn't want to grant "dual citizenship" to save the government from bureaucratic headache and overload. Until 1976, a Canadian would lose his/her citizenship if the person choses citizenship of another country. The law was then amended and now Canadian who don't wish to retain his/her citizenship must renounce it. There are at least 70 countries which recognize dual citisenship. In fact, the High Level Committee of the Indian Diaspora, appointed by the government under the chairmanship of Dr. L.M. Sanghvi, who was given cabinet rank, suggested giving dual citizenship but ultimately it's the parliament which makes amendments to the laws. It's obvious the government was not keen to give it in toto and, hence, provided a via media in the form of PIO, which still exists, before deciding on the nexst step, the OCI. Recently, the governmnt informed that it would do merge both the PIO and OCI. So, in the circumatances the OCI is the best bet. Those who have the card must adhere to the rules and conditions. If Parrikar is able to convince the Indian government to change the rules and have the Indian government recognize "dual citizenship" that would allow OCI card-holders the right to vote and stand for elections, it would indeed be a miracle and a big political victory for him. If the Indian government goes to provide Parrikar a way to save the political lives of some of the MLAs facing court cases over their citizenship, then it would be put BJP on solid ground for the next elections. Perhaps those Niz Goenkars who are braying for his blood now for "denying" them voting rights would be his supporters and would vote for him. Till such a thing happens, let's keep our fingers crossed and let Niz Goenkars (don't really get its deeper meaning and import) keep on flapping their overgrown wings in both Goa and in foreign lands.
Eugene Correia
