33.

Describe the story of Goa’s liberation from the Portuguese to its becoming a state of the Indian Union.

(i) Goa was under colonial rule since the 16th Century. During their rule, the Portuguese suppressed the people of Goa, denied them civil rights and carried out forced religious conversions.

(ii) After independence in Goa also, there was strong movement for freedom, which was strengthened by satyagrahis from Maharastra.

(iii) In December 1961, the Indian Government sent the army which liberated Goa, Daman and Diu and it was made a Union Territory.

(iv) One section of the people of Goa desired that Goa, as a Marathi speaking area should merged with Maharashtra but many Goans were keen to retain a separate identity and culture particularly the Konkani language.

(v) The Central Government held a special opinion poll in Goa asking people to decide about their choice.

(vi) A referendum – like procedure was used. The majority of the people decided to remain separate i.e. outside Maharashtra. Thus Goa continued as Union Territory. Finally in 1987, Goa became a State.