New Delhi: June 18 is a day of significance for Goans as Goa Revolution Day is celebrated on this day. Goa Revolution Day or ‘Kranti Din’ marks the onset for liberation of Goa from Portuguese rulers. On June 18, 1946 Dr Ram Manohar Lohia and Dr Julião Menezes led the initiative to resist persecution by Portuguese rulers and fight for an independent Goa.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and governor PS Sreedharan Piilai, on the occasion, paid tributes to the martyrs at Azad Maidan in Panaji. "On this memorable occasion let us all bow our heads to the memory of all the martyrs, freedom fighters. It is because of the sacrifices of these great souls that Goa today stands tall as a prosperous State," Sawant said.
"Let us continue to work towards the betterment and for making Goa a model State. Let us join hands together and strive to protect the hard-earned freedom and rededicate ourselves to achieve greater progress and maintain rich traditions in all spheres of life," the CM said further.
Lohia and Menezes led the cause for a better living, better future and liberation from oppression for Goans. This is the reason why June 18 is commemorated as Goa Liberation Day or Kranti Din.
Goa Revolution Day: History
Dr Ram Manohar Lohia and Dr Julião Menezes initiated to disobey the ban that was imposed by the Portuguese government in the coastal state, thus igniting Goa’s first civil disobedience movement. Both the leaders addressed a public gathering in Panjim on June 15, 1946 and asked the people of Goa to not obey orders by Portuguese rulers and liberate Goa from Portuguese rule.
Afterwards, Lohia and Menezes arrived at Margao square on June 18 and addressed the crowd calling for an end to Portuguese rule and creation of an independent Goa.
The two were apprehended by the police and brought to Panjim Police Station where Lohia was detained in solitary custody after which he was sent to British India.
Dr Julião Menezes was born in Goa’s Assolna village while Dr Ram Manohar Lohia hailed from Akbarpur in Uttar Pradesh. The two had met at the Berlin University where Menezes was pursuing his MD and Lohia did his PhD. Both were active members of the Indian Students’ Union. Menezes returned to India in 1938 while Lohia completed his PhD and came back to India in 1933.