Who is a Goan?

We have been witnessing for quite some time debates, discussions, arguments and opinions regarding the definition that qualifies anyone who is resident in Goa as a Goan.

Everyone is interested to know the right criteria that can be applied and universally accepted, which will decide conclusively who is a Goan. However this is becoming a contentious and complex issue.

Let's visit some of the arguments proposed by many groups of civil society to government and non-government agencies to define the status of a resident Goan.

 Firstly the most traditionally accepted arguments by people of Goa is that all those who were born in Goa or even outside Goa to parents who were born in Goa prior to liberation of Goa in 1961 and Konkani as their mother tongue are the true sons and daughters of the soil and hence genuine Goans.

But this reasoning does not find favour with many, since there have been several demographic changes over the years.

Secondly several people from other states came to Goa soon after 1961 and took employment in different professions. For example hundreds of men and women took up teaching jobs and continued to work until their retirements. Many sold their possessions in their home states and bought property in Goa, built houses and admitted their children in local schools. Most of these migrants falling in this category speak, write and read fluently Konkani language.

 Are these people and their dependents Goans by virtue of their long years of residence in Goa?  Should they enjoy the same benefits and facilities as the traditional Goans?

Thirdly there are others who gained employments over the years due to unavailability of local talents and took up various professions and work in different trades. Many of them still continue to work  for over 15 years. Also large number of them managed to obtain Voters's ID, Ration Cards, electricity and water connections to their residences and have their children studying in local schools.

Are they also Goans in the eyes of the law?

Then there's a constitutional provision that ensures the right of citizens of India to settle and seek employment in any part of India.

Under these prevailing circumstances will it ever be possible to evolve an exact criteria to define strictly who's a Goan? 

Hence the demand for reservations for various employment services in government and private establishments for Goans only, is going to be a difficult task.