Dr Juliao Menezes: Most forgettable Hero of Goa liberation Movement.

Dr Juliao Menezes: Most forgettable Hero of Goa liberation Movement.

There is a road in Punjim Goa named as 18th June Road. Since many are not aware the exact historical events of this place and such name is raising the question in the minds of many domestic as well as foreign tourists.  The main historical event was the Goa liberation movement which was started on this day in the year 1946. The Goa liberation movement was nothing but sought to end the Colonial Rule of Portugal in Goa. This movement started on the small scale revolts which was characterized by a range of tactics. This movement used the method of non violence like civil disobediences and diplomatic efforts. At last, on 19th December 1961, Indian army invaded Goa and incorporated Goa into Indian union. There were two main heroes who started Goa freedom movement, one Socialist leader Dr. Rammanohar Lohia and another was, son of Goa, Dr Juliao Menezes.

*From: Yogesh Gogwekar.*

Portugal ruled Goa for nearly 435 years. During the Portugal rules, civil liberties of People of Goa were curtailed. Not only newspapers and Periodicals had been censored but marriage invitation cards had to go to a censorship committee for screening. If they found any fault, heavy penalty was imposed. In 1910, Menezes Braganca was first person to raise the voice against such policies and asked for same rights to the people of Goa which are enjoying by people of Portugal in their mainland. In 1928, Dr. Tristao de Braganza Cunha formed Goa national congress after getting inspiration of Indian national Congress session at Kolkata and got the recognition from Indian national congress.  Portugal government immediately came to know that not only Hindus but Catholics also were getting inspired from the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi and leaders of Indian national Congress and its agenda. Therefore, Portugal passed Colonial Act ( Acto Colonial) to restrict political rallies and meetings within Portugal Colonies and they also introduced the policy of compulsory conscription in Portuguese India which helps in growing resentment against the Portugal government.

The real struggle started when Dr Juliao Menezes invited socialist leader of Indian freedom movement Dr. Rammanohar Lohia to start Civil Disobedience movement to liberate Goa from Portugal rule. Dr. Rammanohar Lohia accepted the invitation and reached Goa on 10^th June 1946 and sheltered with Dr. Juliao Menezes in Assolna and discussed the policy to launch civil disobedience movement.  He met many intellectuals of Goa and residence place of Dr Juliao Menezes became a public meeting place. News of Lohia’s arrival spread throughout Goa and all Goans started gathering at residence of Dr. Juliao Menezes. Finally, on 18^th June 1946, both these great towering figures conducted public meeting in Panjim and launched civil disobedience movement. Huge crowd gathered to support of them by chanting their names, "Dr Lohia-ki Jai! Dr Juliao Menezes-ki-Jai!”  Both these stalwarts were arrested and put them in lock up in Punjim Police station. News of their arrest spread throughout the Goa and people started demonstrated in all parts of Goa. Citizens drove in procession and it became difficult to Portugal government to handle the situation as many local police persons who were working in police department started helping demonstrators. This resulted in large-scale arrests of main leader like Anthony D‘Souza , Mark Fernandez , Alfred Alfonzo , Mitra Bir , Purshottam Kakodkar , Laxmikant Bhemre , Bragança Cunha and Mohan Ranade. At last, Dr. Menezes was released and Dr. Lohia driven outside of Goa. Thus, their arrest motivated the people to liberate the Goa from Portugal rule and to join as a part of Indian Union on 19^th December 1961.

Born on 7^th August 1909 in Assolnã, Provincia De Salcete in Goa , Dr. Juliao Menezes completed his education in Goa and for getting the further education degree in Medicine , he went to Berlin in 1920. It was there he met Dr. Rammanohar Lohia who was also studying  at the same university. Along with Dr. Lohia, he started taking an active part in Indian union and became a secretary of union. After completion their education, both these leaders returned back to India. Dr. Menezes started working with Clube De Assolina where he tried to spread rationalist thing and supported nationalist activity. Even after retuning Goa , he was having close contact with Dr. Lohia. He formed Gomantak Praja Mandal and started weeking periodical names as Gomantak in konkani and English to liberate Goa.

On 2^nd July 1980, Dr Julião Menezes died as a bachelor in Mumbai. It is very sad to know that not only Government of India but government of Goa failed to honored Dr. Menezes for his contributions to liberate Goa. Even President of India Ramnath Kovind hailed the contribution of Dr. T. B. Cunha  and forgot Dr. Menezes and stated wrongly that it was Dr. Cunha who invited socialist leader Dr. Lohia to address public meeting on 18^th June 1946.  

I am closing this writing by mentioning small incidence of Dr. Menezes for not getting marry and remain bachelor for life time. After completing his education in medicine, Dr. Menezes returned back to Goa in 1938 with German Girl but his mother refused to get introduce in her family. His mother was very strict. That is the reason he did not marry and also use to say, “You lose your freedom that way”. 

Today, we are missing personalities like Dr.Juliao Menezes and Dr. Lohia. Thus their contributions have taught us how to sacrifice without any expectation. Salute to them.

Mumbai

28/02/2019