Goa Liberation Day: Who supported Goa's liberation from Portuguese domination?

Goa's independence from Portuguese rule and eventual integration with India on December 19, 1961, make today a significant date in Goan history. Notably, Goa was ruled by the Portuguese for 451 years.

When most of the subcontinent was liberated from British rule in 1947, Portugal refused to grant Goa independence or permit it to join India. Portugal argued that Goa was an essential component of Portugal, not just a colony, and that it was culturally and religiously distinct from the rest of India.

During Jawaharlal Nehru's time as prime minister, the Indian Armed Forces initiated Operation Vijay to annex Goa and integrate it with the rest of India.

The Indian Armed Forces carried out coordinated air, sea, and land strikes during the more than 36-hour operation.

Goa was freed from Portuguese rule thanks to the efforts of many individuals. In opposition to colonial rule in Goa, they organized demonstrations and started a number of movements.

Because he started the first campaign to overthrow Portuguese rule in Goa, TB Cunha is regarded as the "Father of Goan Nationalism." After completing his studies in France, Cunha returned to India during Mahatma Gandhi's mass movement against imperial rule.

Goa shouldn't be left out of the fight for national freedom, in his opinion. He established the Goa Congress Committee with this goal in mind and was successful in getting it connected to the Indian National Congress.

Later, Cunha relocated to Mumbai, where he persisted in his fervent efforts to liberate Goa. He wrote a number of books and articles that vehemently criticized Portuguese rule.

Indian freedom fighter Juliao Menezes was crucial to the effort to free Goa from Portuguese domination. He actively participated in initiatives to disseminate nationalist ideologies among Goans. To encourage nationalism in the area, Menezes founded the publication Gomantak Praja Mandal. During the period when Goa was governed by the Portuguese, the initiative concentrated on raising political awareness.

In Portuguese Goa, he was also associated with the Indian National Congress. As a sign of his involvement with the larger national movement, Menezes attended the party's 1948 session and was a member of its provisional committee.

Menezes collaborated with socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia to organize a civil disobedience campaign against Portuguese ruler Antonio de Oliveira Salazar's government in Goa.

Sardesai, a Goan attorney, was crucial to Goa's independence movement. She ran the Voice of Freedom underground radio station from 1955 to 1961, which disseminated messages throughout Portuguese-ruled Goa and encouraged support for the independence movement.

As the first Director of Tourism for Goa, Daman, and Diu following Goa's liberation, Lobo helped the region's tourism industry grow. In January 2025, she received the Padma Shri.

Vaman Sardesai, an Indian poet, freedom fighter, and diplomat, played a significant role in the liberation movement of Goa. He was Libia Lobo Sardesai's husband and played a significant role in the Voice of Freedom radio station's operations. He was appointed second editor of Goa Today magazine following Goa's liberation. Later on, he joined the IAS and held the position of Indian Ambassador to Angola.

Vaman received the Padma Shri award, just like his wife.

Purushottam Kakodkar was a key figure in the liberation movement for Goa. The Portuguese colonial authorities imprisoned and even deported him because of his active participation. Following his return to Goa, he founded an ashram in Margao that served as a covert center for the freedom movement, offering many freedom fighters refuge and assistance.

Kakodkar was one of eleven Goans chosen to meet with Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in June 1957.

He became the leader of the Indian National Congress's newly established Goa unit, which had its headquarters in Panjim, after Goa was freed. In the Lok Sabha, he served as a member of parliament for North Goa.