Bigots spreading distortions about the Inquisition

Godfrey Gonsalves

Politicians in Goa and perhaps in India as well, have sought to polarise the Goan society. This happened during the uprising of the Goan masses for the official recognition of their language Konkani in the late eighties,  and these days by the preaching to the non Brahmin Hindus (Bahujan Samaj) mostly in the Novas Conquistas (New Conquests) about the atrocities said to have been committed on our Hindu bretheren during the infamous INQUISITION . 

Even a film promoted by the present coalition dispensation in power led by the right-wing Hindu fundamentalist and fascist party contains excerpts of the freedom struggle laced with scenes of  atrocities (falsely) said to have been committed on those in the Novas Conquistas. 

These politicians are actually aware of the historical facts that 

a) Goa was the first European colony in South Asia, and indeed in almost all of Asia and Africa, and was ruled by Lisbon from 1510 to 1961.

 b) Colonial rule ended here, unlike in the case of the British and French-ruled colonies, with bitterness. 

c) the Portuguese left only after Indian troops marched into Goa and that all this led to a strain in relations between New Delhi and Lisbon until the mid-70s, after the fall of the Portuguese dictatorship and the return of democracy to that country. 

d) this was indeed the time when official relations between Portugal and India were taking time to reach normalcy, despite the move of then Portuguese foreign minister (later president) Mario Soares, to recognise Goa's integration into India finally and most IMPORTANT 

e) that of today's Goa the period of 451 years of erstwhile Portuguese rule from 25.11.1510 to 19.12.1961 was restricted to Old Conquests (Velhas Conquistas),Ilhas (Tiswadi) since 1510, Bardez 1543,Salcete(Mormugao)1543 and 

f) the New Conquests (Novas Conquistas) where the largely Hindu non Brahmin commonly known as "Bahujan Samaj" viz; Ponda 1763 (Soundekar surrendered in 1764 Sanguem, Quepem, Canacona with Cabo de Rama to Portuguese to protect them from the Mysore King Hyder Ali and that finally by treaty in 1791 these parts came under Portuguese.  Balli Ashtragrahar Hemadbarcem now belonging to above Talukas of Quepem, Sanguem, Canacona & Bicholim 1781,  Sattari 1781 from Bhonsles of Sawantwadi,  Portuguese acquired Pernem 1788 

Therefore when historic facts being sacred prove that the Novas Conquistas people were never ever victims of the INQUISITION,  such distortions by the politicians need to be checked and the facts  reiterated  for posterity. 

Ironically the same politicians and preachers of these distortions have adorned their houses with Portuguese designed carved furniture and have either visited Portugal in recent times or have made a beeline to the Portuguese Consulate for obtaining for themselves and their vote banks (Bahujan Samaj masses) the now much famed Portuguese passports. 

There is no two opinions on the fact that the dictatorship era of Salazar was indeed the "causa prima" for the forceful Liberation of Goa; the post 1974 democratic regime now ruling Portugal and the present Portuguese citizens should not be stigmatised by the Goan politicians for the unsavoury past.  In fact with the emerging European block and globalisation politicians in Goa and India as well should leave historical facts where they deserve to be instead of usurping the social homogeneous fabric of this tiny twenty fifth state which is viewed as a cauldron of communal harmony envied by other states and union territories in India.

Godfrey Gonsalves
Margao, Goa
Sept 21, 2003