TUESDAY, MAY 07, 2024
Team Herald
MARGAO: Former MLA and Advocate Radharao Gracias asserted on Thursday that only a portion of Captain Viriato Fernandes's speech had been deliberately taken out of context, sparking unnecessary controversy regarding the recent Constitutional issue.
Addressing reporters, Gracias stated that a thorough examination of Fernandes’s entire speech clarifies his intent clearly.
“In 1947, India gained independence, and in 1950, India adopted a new constitution. Goa only became a part of India in 1961. When one examines the constitution, it begins with ‘we, the people of India,’ referring to the people of India at that time. It did not include individuals from Pakistan, China, or Portugal. Therefore, when the Constitution was adopted, we Goans were still under Portuguese rule,” he elucidated.
Gracias further elaborated that Vaikuntrao Dempo, an industrialist, was nominated as a Member of Parliament in the Portuguese parliament. He noted the division among those who sided with the Portuguese and those who opposed them. He remarked, “Those who once proclaimed ‘Viva Portugal’ and now hail ‘Jai Hind’ have received Padmashree awards.”
The advocate emphasised that the views of Goans were not considered in determining what should be included in the constitution. He pointed out that Pudicherry, upon gaining independence, was consulted and granted Special Status, echoing the demands of Captain Viriato and many others for similar treatment. “There is nothing wrong in Captain Viriato’s statement. What is the crime in requesting special status?” he questioned.
Gracias pointed out that the Goa Legislative Assembly unanimously passed a resolution on April 13, 2013, urging the central government to grant special status, a resolution put forth by the late Manohar Parrikar, who later became a cabinet minister in the central government. “How can what Captain Viriato says be deemed wrong when Parrikar expressed similar sentiments and went on to become a union minister? BJP is unnecessarily stirring controversy as they lack substantial issues,” concluded Gracias.
