Goa – Statehood Day
Context:
- The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted the people of Goa on their Statehood Day. May 30th marks the 35th anniversary of statehood of Goa.
Historical Background:
- The arrival of the Portuguese fleet in Goa in 1505 marked the beginning of the new history of the coastal state.
- It was Admiral Alfonso de Albuquerque who changed the picture of Goa, he turned Goa into a fortified city and made it as the capital of Portuguese Colony in Asia among its settlements in other parts of India, Indonesia, East Timor, the Persian Gulf and some parts of China and Japan.
- It became the eastern hub of the spice trade which was at boom at that point of time.
What happened post-independence?
- Goa still remained under Portuguese control even after 1947 along with the other territories in the western coast.
- The Indian authorities were of the opinion that the Portuguese must cede its territories but the Portuguese refused to do so.
- But some rebel groups started to take over some territories from Dadra and Nagar Haveli which was also another Portuguese territory.
- This matter was taken to International Court of Justice, The Hague
- The court submitted its ruling in 1960, stating that even though the Portuguese had the right over the territory in question, the Indian government had equal right to deny Portuguese control and access to Indian territory.
- In retaliation to this the Government of India launched Operation Vijay in the year 1961.
- In response to this the Portuguese authorities surrendered and Goa was included into Indian territory.
- Goa which remained a Union territory until May 30, 1987 attained its statehood hence after.
Source The Hindu
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