He dedicated the recognition to the people of Goa and said the visit reinforced the diaspora’s deep concern over the erosion of Goa’s identity, culture and resources.
“The Goans living abroad remain emotionally connected to their homeland. They are deeply disturbed by the manner in which Goa is being sold off and its identity diluted. Their concerns are no different from those of Goans living here,” he said.
Sardesai said a Goa Forward-led government would institutionalise engagement with overseas Goans, work towards granting them special status, and continue the fight for a solution to the long-pending issue of dual citizenship.
“Goans abroad are not outsiders. They are our brothers and sisters. Successive governments have ignored them and treated them as second-class citizens despite their immense contribution to Goa,” he said.
Recalling the Opinion Poll, Sardesai said Goa’s identity has always been protected by its people and accused the BJP government of accelerating the “sale of Goa” by handing over land and resources to outside interests.
“The concern among the diaspora is that Goa is being fast-tracked for sale. They want change, and they want Goa to be restored,” he said.
