Minister says Chieftains to be declared martyrs; revolt to feature in school syllabus; memorial upgradation planned
Cuncolim commemorates the 1583 revolt against the Portuguese at a function held at the Cuncolim Chieftains Memorial on Tuesday.
Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
Terming the 1583 Cuncolim Revolt as country’s first war of Independence against colonial powers, Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phal Dessai on Tuesday announced that the government is working on an animated film to depict the valiant sacrifices made by the Chieftains of Cuncolim in their resistance against the Portuguese regime.
The Minister has also called for the slain Cuncolim Chieftains — who were treacherously killed by Portuguese soldiers after being invited to a peace meeting —to be officially recognised as martyrs by the government.
Addressing the programme organised by the government to celebrate July 15 as Chieftains Uprising Commemoration Day as a tribute to the Chieftains killed by the Portuguese during the Cuncolim Revolt, Phal Dessai emphasised the need to highlight the brutality of colonial rule in Goa.
“The animation series will portray the atrocities, forced conversions, and the Inquisition imposed by the Portuguese during their 450-year rule over Goa,” said Phal Dessai. “We are working to bring these historical events to life through the series. I have discussed this with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, and we plan to include dedicated episodes on the Cuncolim Revolt. The project is already underway and the animated film will be completed at the earliest.”
Saying the Cuncolim Chieftains had revolted against the Portuguese to defend their land and religion, he termed the Chieftains and the people of Cuncolim who had waged a battle against the Portuguese as freedom fighters and revolutionaries and not criminals. “The historic Cuncolim Revolt ought to have been included in the school curriculum long ago when students are being taught of World War I and II and on figures such as Winston Churchill and Vladimir Lenin. I take this opportunity to thank Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for his bold step to including Cuncolim Revolt in the history text books of Std XI and which will be included in the Std IX history books,” he added.
In his address, Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao, who represents Cuncolim in the Legislative Assembly, said the Cuncolim Revolt is significant in more than ways than one. He said that Cuncolkars had started the non-cooperation movement 335 years before Mahatma Gandhi had started the non-cooperation movement.
Reminding that he has tabled a private member’s resolution demanding inclusion of the Cuncolim Revolt in the history books, Yuri said the PWD has floated Rs 1.5 crore tender for the renovation and upgradation of the Cuncolim Chieftains Memorial. He said the photographs of all the 16 Chieftains will be displayed at the Chieftains Memorial Complex. The Cuncolim Revolt had taken place more than 274 years before the 1857 Sepoy munity. The Gaunkars and the people of Cuncolim had stopped payment of taxes to the oppressive Portuguese regime. The sacrifices made by the Cuncolim Chieftains should be an inspiration for the younger generation to raise their voice against injustice,” he said.
Navelim MLA Ulhas Tuenkar, South district Collector, Egna Cletus, IAS, District police chief Tikam Singh, IPS, Chairman of Cuncolim Chieftains Memorial Committee Oscar Martins, freedom fighter Rohidas Desai were amongst the people who paid tributes to the Chieftains.
