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GOA: The Merger Issue and the Opinion Poll of 1967
By Bosco D'Mello
bo...@goanet.org
This week, 42 years ago, was the
Opinion Poll. Goanet admin member
Bosco D'Mello writes: "After Goa's
Liberation in 1961, a section of
Goan society sought to merge Goa
with Maharashtra. Several years
later in 1966 the Government of
India authorised a plesbicite on
this issue that is now referred
to as the Historic Opinion Poll."
Read the paper online:
http://tinyurl.com/8x4xcx
Long before the Liberation and annexation of Goa, the
Government of India had made it clear on several occasions
that the people of Goa would be consulted in any decision
about the future status of their territory. After Goa's
liberation on December 19, 1961, several pronouncements
indicated that the Government of India would do its best to
maintain Goa's inherent Portuguese culture, similar to the
French culture established in Pondicherry. The 1962 Election
Manifesto of the Indian National Congress stated that whether
Goa merged with Maharashtra or not would be decided by the
Goans themselves. Addressing a public meeting in 1963, the
then Indian Prime Minister, Pandit Jawarharlal Nehru stated
that Goa would remain a Union Territory for ten years after
which Goans would decide the future status of Goa by way of a
referendum.
The first elections in the newly formed Union Territory were
held in 1963. The Maharashtra Gomantak Party (MGP) that was
established six months prior to the elections won a majority.
The elections were fought mainly on the party's advocacy of
merging Goa with Maharashtra.
Contrary to what the then Indian Prime Minister Pandit
Jawarharlal Nehru stated, the MGP did not want to wait for
those 10 years to decide Goa's fate. The party tried to
engineer the merger of Goa with Maharashtra. This attempt was
stalled largely on account of the Government of India's
preoccupation with the 1965 war with Pakistan.
As soon as the war ended the issue of Goa's merger was raised
in Goan political circles. The Congress Party's Central
Working Committee in its meeting of September 3, 1966
deliberated on this issue and decided to hold a plebiscite to
decide the fate of Goa. Subsequently, the Indira Gandhi-led
governing Congress party of the Government of India
introduced the Goa, Daman and Diu (Opinion Poll) Act in the
Indian Parliament.
The Bill was first passed by the Lok Sabha (Lower House) on
December 1, 1966. Next, the Rajya Sabha (Upper House) passed
the bill on December 7, 1966. The President of India gave the
Bill his assent on December 16, 1966. The Bill, with its 34
clauses, was enacted and specified that a poll would
determine whether Goa should merge with Maharashtra, and
Daman & Diu with Gujarat, or continue to remain a Union
Territory. The Indian Parliament recommended that the Opinion
Poll be conducted prior to the fourth General Elections in
the country. Accordingly, January 16, 1967 was fixed as the
date for the Opinion Poll.
'The Opinion Poll Act' faced severe criticism from within the
territory of Goa. The United Goans Party demanded a separate
referendum for the institution of an independent legislature
and wanted to eliminate the idea of a merger.
This led to a splinter in the party: four members
of the Legislative Assembly, headed by Mr. Alvaro
De Loyola Furtado left the party since they did not
favour the idea of the Opinion Poll. Thus, The
United Goans Party had two groups -- the Sequeira
group and the Furtado group named after the
leaders, Dr Jack de Sequeira and Alvaro De Loyola
Furtado. The Goa Congress Committee initially
wanted to boycott the Poll, but later agreed to
participate and bonded together with both factions
of The United Goans Party to vote down the
Maharashtra Gomantak Party.
In order to ensure a free and fair election various demands
were made. One was that every adult Indian citizen of Goa,
Daman & Diu origin, wherever s/he might be residing, had a
right to vote in the Opinion Poll. Other demands included the
dismissal of the Bandodkar Ministry, the transfer of the Lt.
Governor Shri K. R. Damle, the return of the 'deputationist'
from Maharashtra, and debarring the State Reserve Police
officials and personnel from casting their vote in the
Opinion Poll since they were not deemed residents of the
Union Territory of Goa, Daman & Diu. The Government of India
conceded only one of the demands - the resignation of the
Bandodkar Ministry.
The Pro-Merger View
The Pro-Merger View was spearheaded by Bhausaheb alias
Dayanand Bandodkar, Chief Minister of Goa and leader of the
MGP. A pro-merger group comprising of dissenting members of
the Goa Territorial Congress Committee, the Communist Party
of India, the Maharashtra Vilinikaran Agadhi, the Praja
Socialist Party and the Jan Sangh Party lent their support to
the cause of merger of Goa with Maharashtra and supported the
pro-merger view of the MGP.
Those favouring merger of the territory argued that Goa had
strong historical, cultural and religious ties with
Maharashtra that dated back many centuries. At the time of
the Opinion Poll, thousands of Goans lived and carved their
careers in Bombay. Goans shared their worship of religious
deities and religious practices and festivals with the people
of Maharashtra. Besides religion, the affinity further
extended to a common language, script, mythological heritage,
literature, folklore and social customs. Even the Catholics
in Goa had many customs in common with Hinduism and practiced
the caste system, a unique feature not found anywhere else in
Christian society.
The MGP listed several promises in their election manifesto.
Goa would be granted special status until Goa was brought on
par with the rest of Maharashtra. Special provisions would be
granted to Goa vis-à-vis prohibition, employment
opportunities and other development work, including the
industrial and agriculture sectors. Government staff was
promised better openings, quick promotions and no large scale
transfers.
The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Vasantrao P. Naik,
reassured the people of Goa and supplemented the promises of
the MGP. The warranties included issuing posters and
handbills, promising development of the Konkani language,
setting up of a University for Goa, establishing a separate
branch of the Bombay High Court in the capital city of
Panjim, protecting pay scales and service conditions of
Government employees, guaranteeing free education until the
College level, providing grants to educational institutions,
giving concessions to backward classes, and above all
certifying that there would be no prohibition in the
territory of Goa.
Maharashtra's political leaders of every political persuasion
supported the merger and tried to sway the people of Goa.
Even prolific singer, Shahir Amar Shaikh of the Communist
Party of India visited Goa with his entourage, Lal Bawta Kala
Pathak (Red Flag Artistes Troupe), and performed in several
villages of Goa.
Gomantak -- Goa's first Marathi daily newspaper, owned by the
Chowgule family, was at the forefront of promoting the
pro-merger view.
To study this point of view several sample public opinion
polls were conducted.
Goa cannot be maintained as a separate administrative unit
because of its smallness and as such its merger with the
adjoining states is essential.
Table 1. Agreement on Merger proposal
OLD GOA NEW CONQUESTS TOTAL
Category of Responses Frequency (%) Frequency (%)
Frequency (%)
Agree 228 (28.5) 269 (67.3) 497 (41.4)
Disagree 476 (59.5) 112 (28.0) 588 (49.0)
Neutral 75 (9.4) 14 (3.5) 89 (7.4)
No Responses 21 (2.6) 5 (1.2) 26 (2.2)
Total 800 (100.0) 400 (100.0) 1200 (100.0)
Outside political influences and pressures have created
greater confusion regarding merger issue.
Table 2. Agreement on the role of outside pressures
OLD GOA NEW CONQUESTS TOTAL
Category of Responses Frequency (%) Frequency (%)
Frequency (%)
Agree 595 (74.4) 280 (70.0) 875 (72.9)
Disagree 89 (11.1) 67 (17.8) 156 (13.0)
Neutral 87 (10.9) 30 (7.5) 117
(9.8)
No Responses 29 (3.6) 23 (5.7) 52 (4.3)
Total 800 (100.0) 400 (100.0) 1200 (100.0)
Table 3. Agreement on the statement: The fear of the
minorities is utterly unjustified
OLD GOA NEW CONQUESTS TOTAL
Category of Responses Frequency (%) Frequency (%)
Frequency (%)
Agree 233 (29.1) 260 (65.0) 493 (41.0)
Disagree 403 (50.4) 75 (18.8) 478 (39.9)
Neutral 136 (17.0) 62 (15.5) 198 (16.5)
No Responses 28 (3.5) 3 (0.7) 31 (2.6)
Total 800 (100.0) 400 (100.0) 1200 (100.0)
The integration of Goa with its parent country (India) gives
its citizens opportunities to better their prospects not only
inside their territory but also within the span of a very big
country.
Table 4. Integration with India is beneficial
OLD GOA NEW CONQUESTS TOTAL
Category of Responses Frequency (%) Frequency (%)
Frequency (%)
Agree 735 (91.9) 398 (99.6) 1133 (94.4)
Disagree 14 (1.8) 1 (0.2) 15 (1.3)
Neutral 33 (4.1) 1 (0.2) 34 (2.8)
No Responses 18 (2.2) nil 18 (1.5)
Total 800 (100.0) 400 (100.0) 1200 (100.0)
The Anti-Merger View
[Statue of Dr. Jack de Sequeira,
Dona Paula. Installed April 20, 2007
Photo: JoeGoaUK]
The Anti-Merger View was spearheaded by Panjim's Member of
the Legislative Assembly (MLA) and leader of the United Goans
Party, Dr. Joao Hugo Eduardo de Sequeira alias Dr. Jack de
Sequeira and his son Erasmo Sequeira. They were assisted by
both groups of The United Goans Party, the Goa Territorial
Congress Committee, the Anti-Merger Front and the United
Goans Party in Bombay, all of whom opposed the merger of Goa
with Maharashtra.
They contended that Goans would be reduced to a minority, and
that their rights and privileges would not be safeguarded. To
counter the MGP-fuelled propaganda, this group raised a
slogan: "Merger means slavery and Union Territory means
Freedom". They advocated the view that Goa remain a Union
Territory and not be deprived of her own Legislative Assembly
where her own elected representatives could address issues
related to Goa and Goans. The merger would spell the end of
the Panjim Secretariat and the High Court resulting in
considerable delays in disposal of cases.
An important feature of their discord was the preservation of
Goan cultural heritage. A merger would lead to a significant
loss and decadence of the Goan culture. Pre-eminent in the
minds of Goans was that Goa would lose its identity -- its
unique blend of East and West. Goa would be reduced to a
backwater district of Maharashtra just as Sawantwadi or
Ratnagiri districts in the State were losing all their
cultural singularities. People were alarmed also that a
merger would result in the demise of Goa's language, Konkani,
which would be surreptitiously displaced by Marathi.
Another fear was the imposition of prohibition that would
prevent Goans from imbibing alcohol. This would also
adversely affect the toddy tappers in Goa who would lose
their livelihood and income.
A major worry was the lack of employment
opportunities if the merger was successful. In
Maharashtra, the Shiv Sena was already advocating
jobs for ethnic Maharashtrians only. This policy
would negatively impact Central Government
employees whose higher remuneration for working in
a Union Territory would be first to draw their ire.
Goan employees would have to compete with non-Goans
with the possibility that Goans could be
transferred to remote corners of Maharashtra.
Support also sprouted from the cultural arena. Entertainer,
Ulhas Buyao, who was 23 at the time, established Jai Gomantak
Kala Pathak. This included young writers like Dr Manoharrai
Sardessai, Shankar Bhandari and Uday Bhembre (a passionate
orator, whose father belonged to the opposite camp). The
group composed songs and participated in 75 public meetings
advocating the Anti-Merger combine in pro-merger
constituencies. Ulhas Buyao, affectionately called 'Goem
Shahir,' composed and sang the anthem, Goenchea Mhojea
Goenkaramno in support for the Anti-Merger view that inspired
thousands of Goans to sing-along.
In addition, a daily Marathi newspaper, Rashtramat, was set
up to counter the pro-merger camp. Chandrakant Keni was
appointed editor and Uday Bhembre penned a supportive column,
Brahmastra.
Once again, to study this point of view several sample public
opinion polls were conducted.
Table 5. It would be in the interest of Goa if it is
treated as a
centrally administered State for some years
OLD GOA NEW CONQUESTS TOTAL
Category of Responses Frequency (%) Frequency (%)
Frequency (%)
Agree 572 (71.5) 183 (45.8) 755 (62.9)
Disagree 158 (19.7) 198 (49.5) 356 (29.7)
Neutral 51 (6.4) 15 (3.7) 66 (5.5)
No Responses 19 (2.4) 4 (1.0) 23 (1.9)
Total 800 (100.0) 400 (100.0) 1200 (100.0)
Goans have a legitimate fear of being totally absorbed, if
Goa is merged with
Maharashtra, and thus lose its individual character.
Table 6. Agreement on loss of cultural identity
OLD GOA NEW CONQUESTS TOTAL
Category of Responses Frequency (%) Frequency (%)
Frequency (%)
Agree 490 (61.3) 156 (39.0) 646 (53.8)
Disagree 222 (27.7) 226 (56.6) 448 (37.3)
Neutral 63 (7.9) 16 (4.0) 79 (6.6)
Total 800 (100.0) 400 (100.0) 1200 (100.0)
Table 8. Agreement on loss of cultural peculiarities on
Merger
OLD GOA NEW CONQUESTS TOTAL
Category of Responses Frequency (%) Frequency (%)
Frequency (%)
Agree 486 (60.8) 159 (39.8) 645 (53.7)
Disagree 233 (29.1) 220 (55.0) 453 (37.8)
Neutral 61 (7.6) 15 (3.7) 76 (6.3)
No Responses 20 (2.5) 6 (1.5) 26 (2.2)
Total 800 (100.0) 400 (100.0) 1200 (100.0)
Table 9 Agreement on the statement : "Opposition to
merger of Goa with any
of the neighbouring states is justified because it will lead
to loss of employment or
inadequate salaries for the Goans. They will also not be able
to withstand the
competition from the non-Goans inside their long protected
and sheltered fields."
OLD GOA NEW CONQUESTS TOTAL
Category of Responses Frequency (%) Frequency (%)
Frequency (%)
Agree 511 (63.9) 173 (43.25) 684 (57.0)
Disagree 220 (27.5) 205 (51.25) 425 (35.4)
Neutral 48 (6.0) 19 (4.75) 67 (5.6)
No Responses 21 (2.6) 3 (0.75) 24 (2.0)
Total 800 (100.0) 400 (100.0) 1200 (100.0)
The Opinion Poll
This was the first Opinion Poll ever held in India. The
campaign began in earnest a month prior to the vote. The
outcome of the Poll would decide once and for all the status
of Goa, and Goans recognized the significance of this event.
The Election Commission allocated two symbols to the rival
platforms. They were not associated with any political party
of India: "Flower" for merger and "Two Leaves" to retain the
Union Territory status. The voter had to mark his choice with
a "X" mark against either of the two symbols.
The poll campaign was largely peaceful with minor
altercations that were broken up by the Goa Police. This
unprecedented event drew the attention of people not only
from India but overseas too. Local and Foreign Press
correspondents and cameramen descended on Goa in the days
preceding the Opinion Poll.
January 16, 1967 was set as the date to mark this historical
occurrence. Nearly 400,000 voters of Goa cast their ballot to
decide whether their territory should join the State of
Maharashtra or continue as a centrally administered unit.
Supporters from both sides worked hard to get people to the
booths.
Goans answered with a vehement enthusiasm for this process.
Lengthy queues were seen long before polling had commenced.
All strata of Goan society participated in the process.
Farmers and office-goers joined the long queues and discussed
the political issues involved. Knowledgeable merchants joined
simple labourers, illiterate drivers, and other humble
industrial workers in bonhomie as they rubbed shoulders in
the queues.
Goans from all communities - Hindus, Christians and Muslims -
participated. Women turned out in great numbers as well to
participate in this momentous decision. Of the total 388,432
eligible voters, 317,633 Goans turned up to vote at the 442
polling stations in 28 constituencies in Goa. Considering the
bitter and rancorous campaign that had just ended, the local
law enforcement was pleased to see the people of Goa display
an unbelievable air of discipline, order and dignity. At the
end of the polling day, the question uppermost in the minds
of the people was the outcome of voting.
Both contending parties were equally confident. Dr Jack de
Sequeira said, "We will get a smashing victory. We will get
70 to 75 per cent votes". His opponent, Shri D.B. Bandodkar,
chief proponent of the merger declared, "I am completely
confident of victory. We expect to get 60 to 65 per cent
votes."
The Opinion Poll Results
The counting of the votes was scheduled to occur over three
days. Interest in the outcome of the poll was so high that
people abstained from going to work and students converted
the event into a public holiday. Newspapers deployed staff at
the counting hall to snap up to the minute updates. Some
shopkeepers put up their own signs to keep score of the
votes.
On the first day, votes were counted in the constituencies of
Pernem, Mandrem, Bicholim, Pale and Satari -- all strongholds
of the Maharashtra Gomantak Party, the champions of Goa's
merger with Maharashtra. Although they led the count by
11,000 votes it was evident that the lead was far from what
was expected. Besides, the voting did not go along expected
religious lines.
On the second day, the MGP lead increased to 20,000 votes.
However, in the course of the day it became evident the
pro-merger camp had not polled as many votes as expected. By
the end of the day the anti-merger camp came from behind to
lead by 8888 votes.
Margao, Curtorim, Cortalim and Mormugao constituencies drove
the lead of the anti-merger camp to 33,000 votes on the third
day. By the end of the day the choice of the Goan people was
very evident. They had rejected merger of their state with
Maharashtra in the historic Opinion Poll. The final results
were as follows:
Results of the Opinion Poll
Total No. of Eligible Voters 388,392
Total No. of votes polled 317,633 (81.78%)
Votes polled for Union Territory 172,191
(54.20%)
Votes polled for Merger 138,170 (43.50%)
Invalid Votes 7,272 (2.30%)
Goans were ecstatic! Thousands of fire crackers boomed across
the Mandovi, Goans embraced each other and danced in the
streets, they smeared colours on each other, and cried tears
of uncontrollable joy.
Voting Pattern
The voting pattern that emerged clearly demonstrated that the
blueprint had been more or less on the lines of the first
general elections of 1963 in the whole territory of Goa. It
showed similar caste and communal factors which had entered
into the politics of the first general elections. The
Maharashtra Gomantak Party, which was committed to the cause
of merger with Maharashtra, was largely supported by the
Bahujan Samaj (lower castes) whereas the United Goans Party
who led the Anti-Merger View were largely supported by
Catholics and upper caste Hindus. It is of particular
significance to note that Hindus, the majority community, did
not favour the merger, but were all in favour of maintaining
the status of the Union Territory. The pro-merger faction
gained in at least eight constituencies, while anti-merger
combination was successful in making inroads in 20 out of 28
constituencies.
This clearly indicates that the voting trend in the
Opinion Poll was not as rigid as in the first
general elections but had cut across communal
barriers contrary to the general expectations.
In the contemporary times, successive governments have failed
to celebrated Goa's tryst with destiny on that fateful day,
January 16, 1967, now celebrated as Asmitai Dis (Goan
Identity Day). It is a special day in Goa's history when
irrespective of Religion, Caste, Education and Wealth, Goans
from all walks of life defeated a move to forfeit Goan
identity.
Limited References:
1. Saksena, R. N. (1974). Goa: Into the Mainstream. Delhi,
Abhinav Publications
2. Faleiro, V. (2006, January 15). What a Monumental
Shame. The Herald, Goa
3. Braganza, M. (2007, April 20). Goan I-dent-it-y:
Opinion Poll, Konkani, Antruzi and Maharashtrawadi. The
Gomantak Times, Goa
4. Prabhudesai, Sandesh (Date unknown). The Historic
Opinion Poll. Retrieved January 10, 2009 from
http://www.goanews.com/opinion.htm
Last updated: January 15, 2009
