Operation Vijay - How Goa became a part of India?

India got its independence in the year 1947 on 15 August, but the Indian State of Goa celebrates its Liberation Day on 19 December. Though, India was a British colony but Portuguese were the first foreign power who came to colonize India (in 1505) and were also the last one to depart (1961).

Portuguese got control over Goa in 1510, after Albuquerque defeated the Sultan of Bijapur, Ismail Adil Shah. They wanted to make Goa their colony and not just their naval base. Goa became the first territorial possession of Portuguese in the Asian continent. The conquest for other bases like Malacca (1511) and Hormuz (1515) was initiated from here. Soon, Goa was made the capital of Vice-Kingdom in Asia, which included other regions of India occupied by Portuguese, Malacca, East Timor, Persian Gulf, Macau in China and their bases in Japan. 

Voice for Goan independence were getting loud from 1920s, when Goan National Congress was formed. Just like the independence movement against the Britishers, there were widespread protests and movements demanding the Portuguese government to leave Goa. Not just the protests were similar to those against the Britishers but the actions taken by the Portuguese government was also brutal like Britishers.

After the Britishers left the country of India, the Indian union asked the Portuguese to hand over the control of Goa and other Portuguese ruled territories to India including Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Government there in Lisbon always said that Goa is not a colony but a part of metropolitan Portugal. They also showed their concern for Goan Catholics, saying that they would not be safe if they transfer Goa under the control of Indian government, even though 60% of Goan population consisted of Hindus. As a part of protest, India broke all their diplomatic relations with Portugal in 1953. In 1954, Dadra and Nagar Haveli was liberated by the Azad Gomantak Dal and United Front of Goans. 

In 1955, the Portuguese killed 30 peaceful protestors who were taking part in a movement for independence. As a retaliatory move, Indian government started economic blockade of Goa, Daman and Diu. This led to shortage of essential items for the local population and it became difficult for the Portuguese government also to airlift food items and other necessary items. 'India had not abjured the use of force in Goa', were the words of India's defense minister, V.K. Krishna Menon.

Actions by the Portuguese on 24 November 1961, came as a trigger point for Indian government to send their troops to liberate Goa. A passenger boat named Sabarmati passing between the Indian port of Kochi and Portuguese controlled Anjadiv Island was attacked by Portuguese. The chief engineer was wounded and a passenger also lost his life. As a result, Indian army along with Indian Air force and Indian Navy, attacked Goa from all four sides on 17 December 1961, under the name - Operation Vijay.  Portuguese soldiers were easily outnumbered by the Indian army. On 19 December 1961, the 472 years of Portuguese rule over Goa came to an end and Goa finally returned back to its motherland.

Portugal raised the issue in the United Nations Security Council. Seven countries (USA, UK, France, Nationalist China, Chile, Turkiye, Ecuador) supported Goa's resolution while two (USSR and Sri Lanka, then Ceylon) supported India by going against the resolution and two abstained (United Arab Republic and Liberia). USA criticized India's action and said that military use is against UN's charter. While, USSR's delegate drew attention to Portugal's disregard for UN Resolutions calling for the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples. At the end, resolution was not passed due to USSR's veto. 

After the Portuguese surrender, African countries like Ghana, Angola, Mozambique and Soviet Union along with Sri Lanka and Arab states issued statements in the favor of India, stating it as a action to end colonial rule. USA, UK, Netherlands, Brazil and Pakistan were against the action taken by India. In 1963, the Parliament of India formally integrated the territory of Goa, Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli by passing the 12th Amendment Act to the Constitution of India. All 3 regions became a Union Territory. Goa was given its statehood in 1987. Portugal finished all diplomatic relations with India, but after the Carnation Revolution in Lisbon in 1974, finally Portugal accepted the accession of Goa into the Union of India.

Famous actor Amitabh Bachchan's deut film, Saat Hindustani (1969) shows the heroic attempts of seven Indians to liberate Goa from Portuguese colonial rule. 1985 film Trikal by Shyam Benegal and 1983 movie Puskar, starring Amitabh Bachchan also have storylines based on backdrop of 1960s Goa.