TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Asserting that the continuance of both Caitu Silva and Glen Ticlo amounts to an anti-national act, the United Goans Democratic Party has demanded that the Goa government and the Centre come out with a white paper on its policy on those Goans who have registered their births in Portugal since the decision of the Union Home Ministry has made their position doubtful.
The party has also cautioned both the BJP and the Congress against any hasty decision that would deprive Goans of their basic rights in the State. Party Secretary General Anacleto Viegas said that UGDP expected a decision within the next few weeks as the voters would not hesitate to defeat both the BJP and the Congress in the ensuing Lok Sabha polls.
Addressing the media, Anacleto said that Goans have got their births registered in Portugal out of economic necessity on account of failures of successive governments to create employment opportunities in Goa. “Since Goa became part of India much after the Indian Citizenship Act came into force, it is imperative that special provision should be made to protect Goans. “Today, Goa is peaceful and prosperous because of the inflow of earnings of thousands of Goans working abroad which is possible due to the easy entry available to Goans into Europe,” he added.
Party Vice President Adv Radharao Gracias said that the Benaulim MLA has played fraud on the Goan voter by suppressing his nationality at the time of contesting the elections by filing a false affidavit with his nomination papers claiming to be an Indian national when he was not so. “It is a shame that the Portuguese are still ruling us even after 50 years of liberation,” he said, while questioning the silence of the freedom fighters, the Desh Premis and the Sangh Parivar on the issue.
“There’s a misconception that only members of the minority community have acquired Portuguese citizenship. We have information that there are many Goans, including the Usgaonkars, Timblos, Khauntes and Sinaris are registered in Portugal. We are in the process of collecting their documents from Portugal,” he said.
