The remarks by Goa PWD Minister Ramakrishna Dhavalikar, who belongs to BJP's ally Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, came during discussion on a congratulatory motion for Costa.
As Goa Assembly on Friday passed a congratulatory motion for Goan-origin Antonio Costa who has been elected Portugal's Prime Minister, a state Minister said the Portuguese must tender an apology to Goans for "mercilessly" ruling it for over 450 years.
The remarks by Goa PWD Minister Ramakrishna Dhavalikar, who belongs to BJP's ally Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, came during discussion on a congratulatory motion for Costa. The discussion also saw Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar stating that Goans still have certain wounds about the long Portuguese rule but that should not stop the state from congratulating the 'son of the soil' who has attained such a high position in that country.
"Portugal should tender an apology to Goa (Goans) for mercilessly ruling the state for over 450 years. They did not win the state in a battle. They were given a certain part to rule by then King Adil Shah in 1510 and then they went on adding to their territory," Dhavalikar said in the Assembly.
"I don't feel bad to congratulate him for being elected as a Prime Minister merely because he is son of the soil. But at the same time we have to remember that the Portuguese rule had tried to keep us backward," the minister said.
"If Goa had not been liberated, we would have never been able to sit in this August House and discuss issues. We should not forget that during Portuguese rule we had to travel to other countries to get educated," said the minister, who had in past waded into a controversy demanding a ban on bikinis on Goa's beaches.
Participating in the discussion, Independent MLA Vijai Sardessai said the destiny has taken revenge in the form of Costa's elevation to the topmost post in Portugal.
"Destiny has taken revenge. The ruled have become ruler. That is why it is great day for Goa," Sardessai said. Costa's roots are traced back to Margao city in Goa which is in the South district.
Goa was freed from Portuguese rule on December 19, 1961.
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