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A chapter from Indian independence that is often forgotten is that of Goa's liberation. Today marks the day of the Goa Revolution when people finally got back their rights that had been suspended for centuries.
Happened on 18th June 1946
At Margao, a revolution was in full bloom on 18th June 1946. It was an open declaration, a challenge to the might of a dictatorial regime. It was the dream of many who had spent centuries under colonial rule. Salazar finally realised that the time bomb had already begun to tick.
At the face of this civil disobedience were Dr Ram Manohar Lohia and Dr Julião Menezes, the duo had been working together for about 4 years now with the single aim of liberating Goa.
Lohia was born and brought up in Uttar Pradesh and Menezes was the son of Goa. It was at their university in Berlin that these two people from varied backgrounds got to know each other. While the differences between them were many, their participation in politics and vision for the country was enough for them to forge a friendship. Before parting their ways, they promised each other to stay in contact. This promise changed the fate of many.
After coming back to Goa, Julião started nationalist activity but was met with backlash. His efforts to start a movement went in vain and thus, he decided to shift to Bombay and spread his ideas through his magazine Gomantak. Lohia and Julião again got to meet. Though the reason for the meeting was Lohia’s medical examination, political woes soon found a way into their conversation and the two discussed Goa’s citation extensively.
Both of them were now living in Menezes’s home, laying down plans for the next step, a full-fledged civil disobedience movement.
What began as flouting a ban on public gathering soon turned into a wave of resistance. No one could have imagined that two friends would be able to mobilize the masses, getting rid of their fears and making them raise their voice against the Portuguese rule.
On 15 June 1946, their first public meeting was held. Thousands flocked to listen to their leaders. Police were stationed in the entire area but no one seemed to care. All that mattered was that Lohia and Menezes were to fight; they were there to support them.
With their dreams, courage and aspirations high, another huge public meeting was held on 18 June. This time, police went into action and arrested Menezes and Lohia.
Even when their leaders were taken in by the oppressive state, the people of Goa did not fret. They continued moving ahead. This was the Gao Revolution Day, marked by the emergence of a new political consciousness.
Although Goa got completely liberated in 1961, this decisive day gave the masses their civil rights, paving way for a new dawn.
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