Central Idea

Liberation of Goa: On December 19, 1961, India successfully annexed Goa, ending years of Portuguese colonial rule.
Criticism of Nehru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru of not supporting Goan satyagrahis and delaying military action.

Goa’s Colonization: A Historical Overview

Portuguese Rule: Goa became a Portuguese colony in 1510 under Admiral Afonso de Albuquerque.
Long Colonial Encounter: For over four centuries, Goa was a focal point of regional and global power struggles, leading to a unique Goan identity.
Nationalist Sentiment: The early 20th century saw a rise in nationalist sentiment against Portuguese rule, paralleling India’s anti-British movement.

Goan Nationalism: Tristao de Braganza Cunha, hailed as the father of Goan nationalism, founded the Goa National Congress in 1928.
Lohia’s Influence: In 1946, Ram Manohar Lohia’s rally in Goa galvanized the freedom movement, advocating civil liberties and integration with India.
Armed Resistance: Groups like the Azad Gomantak Dal (AGD) advocated for an armed struggle for liberation.

Supreme Court’s Recognition: The Supreme Court of India validated the annexation, dismissing the law of occupation’s applicability.
Portugal’s Acknowledgment: In 1974, Portugal recognized Indian sovereignty over Goa through a retroactive treaty.
International Law: Under jus cogens, forceful annexations post-UN Charter are deemed illegal, but Goa’s annexation is an exception.

Nehru’s Peace Image: Nehru avoided military action to maintain his global peace leader image.
Partition’s Aftermath: The trauma of Partition and the Indo-Pak war diverted India’s focus.
International Concerns: There were concerns about internationalizing the issue.
Lack of Internal Demand: Gandhi believed more groundwork was needed to unify diverse political voices in Goa.

Global Image and Peaceful Methods: Nehru prioritized India’s global standing and exhausted diplomatic options.
Portugal’s NATO Strategy: Portugal’s reclassification of Goa aimed to bring it under NATO’s protection.
Indigenous Push for Liberation: Nehru balanced diplomatic efforts with supporting indigenous liberation movements.

Portuguese Aggression: The 1955 firing on satyagraha led India to sever ties with Portugal.
India’s Decolonization Leadership: India’s role in global anti-colonial movements intensified pressure to liberate Goa.
African Nations’ Criticism: African criticism at a 1961 seminar highlighted the need to dismantle Portuguese colonialism.
Decisive Military Action: These factors culminated in Operation Vijay, a swift military campaign liberating Goa in less than two days.

End of Colonial Rule: The annexation marked the end of Portuguese colonialism in India.
Historical Significance: Goa’s liberation remains a pivotal event, symbolizing the culmination of India’s struggle against colonialism and the unification of its territories.