And there he made a statement that drew a round of applause. “If Goans want Special Status to protect the identity of State, I have no issues,” is what he said. Five years later, we are in the run-up to another election, and BJP has said it is ready to renew the promise of Special Status to Goa in its election manifesto. The party’s National vice-president Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, in Goa gathering feedback to draft the manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections, said the party is willing to include Special Status to Goa as a part of its election manifesto. “We will include it (special status to Goa) and implement it (when we are in power),” is what he said. 

The question of why was Special Status not taken up for five years when the party was in power in the Centre and the State, remains unanswered. If there can be a reasonable explanation to this, then it would be easier to accept the renewed promise of Special Status for Goa being made by the BJP. Failing that, it will merely remain another poll promise, much like the many that are made before each election. It can be expected that the Congress manifesto too may promise Special Status for the State, as there was a recommendation on this made to the party’s central manifesto team that recently visited Goa.

Special Status to protect and retain the unique identity of Goa is not a new demand. It keeps coming up regularly, more so before every election. The small size of the Goan land and population makes it vulnerable to changes in the culture resulting from a migrant population, and it is to protect this that the demand for Special Status has been made. The issue is very politically alive and resolutions have been unanimously passed by the State Legislative Assembly seeking Special Status for the State. In the past, delegations of MLAs have even travelled to New Delhi with the Assembly resolution in hand and detailed explanations on why the State deserves this Special Status, but this status has remained elusive. 

It is not surprising, for Special Status is easy to promise, but it will not be so easy a promise to deliver on. Any attempt made by the Union government to bestow Special Status to Goa would open up demands from various other States seeking a similar provision. This is one reason why no political party will be readily willing to take that step once it is voted to power. There is also no clarity on the nature of the Special Status, and many parties attempt to brush it aside with the offer of an economic package. There have, however, in the past been suggestions on how this status can be accorded to Goa, and at least one of these is worth exploring. 

Advocate Yatish Naik, in a representation made to the Governor a few years ago, had proposed that the comunidade system and the common civil code being two distinct features of Goa, not replicated elsewhere in the country, should be considered as reasons to grant Special Status. This is a suggestion that has to be taken up for educated debate, as it could lead to a positive outcome. Until now, no Central government has turned down the demands from Goa for Special Status, which implies that it remains in consideration. This gives some hope that at some point of time the answer from New Delhi may be positive. That, however, will not happen unless there is a people’s movement which will compel the government to act in the matter.