Goa: HJS demands cancellation of Pro Portuguese prog

Chaitra Amawasya

Panaji (Goa): The Goa University (GU), in association with the ‘Institute Comoish’ has undertaken to celebrate the ‘April Revolution’ from today. The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) has demanded the cancellation of this program through a demonstration held at the program venue this evening. The reason being that such programs lead to glorification of the Portuguese, who ruled the state of Goa for 450 years.

HJS’s member demonstrating

The Shivsena and the Sanatan Sanstha also partici pated in this demonstration. At this time, slogans such as ‘Shame on the pro-Portuguese Goa University! Stop the glorification of the atrocious Portuguese!’ were shouted. Inspite of this opposition to the program, the organisers paid no heed and the program went on uninterrupted. At this time, HJS’ Shri. Jayesh Thali and Shivsena’s Shri. Shriram Veluskar decided to meet the organisers. Accordingly, they met Dr. Dolphin Corea Da’Silva, an organiser and Head of the Portuguese Dept. of the GU. At this time, Dr. Da’Silva, rejecting the demand said that the program will go on uninterrupted with police protection. At this time, Shri. Thali warned that this issue would be placed before the public and the public will decide whether such pro-Portuguese programs glorifying Portugal should be conducted or not! He alleged that the Goa Government too, has become pro-Portuguese.

HJS Activist with Devbagkar

In another development this morning, a delegation comprising of Shri. Jayesh Thali of the HJS, Capt. (Retd.) Dattaram Sawant of the Divya Jagruti Trust, Shri. Sadashiv Dhond of the DharmaShakti Sena and Mrs. Rajashree Gadekar of the Sanatan Sanstha met the Vice Chancellor of the GU, Dr. Dilip Deobagkar and demanded cancellation of the above program.

Freedom fighters with Deobagkar

The All Goa Freedom Fighter Association opposes the prog.

The All Goa Freedom Fighter Association has strongly objected to conducting the three day program ‘April Revolution’ stating that the sole objective behind conducting this program is glorification of the Portuguese. A delegation of freedom fighters met the VC, Dr. Deobagkar and demanded cancellation of the said program. This delegation comprised of the President of the Association Shri. Jayadrat Chodankar, senior freedom fighter Shri. Nagesh Karmali, Shri. Kanta Ghatval and Shri. Subodh Shetye.

April Revolution is the back door entry of the Portuguese culture in Goa! – Nagesh Karmali

This program is being celebrated in the name of Comoish, a Portuguese poet who referred to Indians as ‘dogs’ in his poems. Thus, it is a plot to bring in the Portuguese culture back to Goa through the back door. The year 2010 will mark 500 years of the Portuguese rule in Goa. This program is a pre-preparation of the same. It is indeed a misfortune that the GU of independent India has fallen a prey to the said plot. The GU should become alert today. Pro-Portuguese members of the GU should be thrown out. If at all GU wants to celebrate any occasion, it should celebrate Goa Liberation Day, T.B. Cunha’s Birth Anniversary and Indian National Days, re-iterated Shri. Nagesh Karmali.