Write in detail about the ‘Goa liberation movement.’

Answer:

• The Portuguese had ruled Goa since 1510, and also held Daman, Diu, Dadra and Nagar-Haveli. When India became free in 1947, Portugal refused to leave and declared Goa its overseas province.
• Dr. Tristao Braganza Cunha founded the Goa Congress Committee (1928) and is called the father of Goan nationalism.
• On 18 June 1946 Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia started a civil disobedience movement at Madgaon (Margao) for civil liberties; it awakened the people.
• Organisations such as the Azad Gomantak Dal and the National Congress (Goa) carried on the struggle; Mohan Ranade and others took part in armed actions.
• In 1954–55 the Goa Vimochan Sahayak Samiti organised satyagrahas; satyagrahis from all over India, including Senapati Bapat, entered Goa. On 15 August 1955 the Portuguese fired on unarmed satyagrahis and many were killed.
• When peaceful efforts failed, the Government of India launched ‘Operation Vijay’ on 18 December 1961. The Portuguese Governor-General surrendered and Goa, Daman and Diu were liberated on 19 December 1961.

Thus the last colonial power was removed from Indian soil.