Citizens rally to defend legacy of freedom fighters, condemn colonial glorification
MARGAO
A group of citizens held a protest meeting at the Cuncolim Chieftains memorial to condemn and oppose “Viva Portugal” slogan.
The meeting also expressed support to the president of All Goa Freedom Fighters Association Rohidas (Daad) Desai after he was trolled for his recent statement on Viva Portugal.
The meeting was addressed by Vishal Desai, Cuncolim Municipal councillor and son of freedom fighter, Shabu Desai, Abhideep Desai of Yugaantar Goa, besides Viraj Desai and others.
The speakers highlighted that hundreds of freedom fighters were tortured in prisons for raising Jai Hind slogan and their failure to chant “Viva Portugal” slogan. “Shouting Viva Portugal slogan by people is an insult to the freedom fighters, who had fought and sacrificed their lives for the liberation of Goa from the Portuguese regime. The freedom fighters were tortured in prisons for their refusal to chant Viva Portugal slogan,” he said.
He said that people are free to go anywhere to earn a livelihood, whether in Portugal, or Europe or USA, but raising Viva Portugal slogan in support of the Portuguese is an insult to the freedom fighters.
In his address, Viraj Desai questioned freedom fighter, Padma Shree, Libia Lobo Sardesai’s remarks on Viva Portugal, as he rejected attempts to portray Goa’s Liberation struggle as merely an anti-Salazar movement.
The speakers pointed out that Portuguese had committed atrocities not just during the Salazar’s dictatorial rule, but since they set foot on Goan soil over 450 years ago. “The same Portuguese had killed the Chieftains of Cuncolim after inviting them for a peace treaty. People of Cuncolim were subjected to torture and cruelty for protecting their land, culture and religion. This only goes to show that the Portuguese did not commit the atrocities on the people of Goa during Hitler’s rule, but throughout the 450 years of rule in the State,” the speakers said.
