Goa Liberation Movement and Madhu Limaye

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About the Book This book contains the diary written by Shri Madhu Limaye during his imprisonment in Altinho and Aguada jails in 1955-57. For the participation in the Goa Liberation Movement, he was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment. The diary reflects his day-to-day schedule, his emotions and thoughts, his reactions to the outside events. There are two articles-one on his ordeal in Goa and the other about the role of Shri N.G. Goray. A controversy had cropped up after Shri Goray's death. It is an explanation of the state of affairs. Madhu Limaye wrote some letters to his one year old son-Aniruddha. It shows his fatherly love and pangs of separation from him. The original Portuguese Charge sheet and Judgment as well as their English translation are also included in it. There is an Article by Smt. Champa Limaye on her experiences during her visits to Goa to meet her husband. It is a representative narration of the hardships that the freedom fighters' families had to face.

About the Author Madhu Limaye (1 May 1922-8 January 1995), the most prominent leader of the Socialist Movement had been an intellectual and an outstanding Parliamentarian. He was elected member of the Lok Sabha four times. He had been a lifelong fighter for civil liberties.

He had been imprisoned during the freedom struggle of India, and also during the days of Goa Liberation Movement. Again, he spent nineteen months in detention during the Emergency.

Limaye held various offices: Secretary, All India Socialist Party; Secretary, Asian Socialist Conference; Chairman, Socialist Party; Leader of the SSP Parliamentary Group. He was also the General Secretary of the Janata Party and later, of the Lok Dal.

He has authored several books on Social Movement, Civil Liberties, Politics etc., besides publishing innumerable articles in prominent publications.

Foreword On the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of the Goa Revolution Day which commemorates the call given by Dr. Rammanohar Lohia on June 18, 1946, we recall the sacrifice of great national leaders and the Martyrs who fought for Goa's Freedom.

The clarion call, to rise against the colonial rule, given by Dr. Lohia was the beginning of the Final Phase of Goa's Freedom Struggle. The freedom movement picked up big momentum drawing the attention of prominent national leaders towards Goa. Late Shri Madhu Ramchandra Limaye was one of those noted leaders who led the people in the Freedom movement of Goa. Shri Madhu Limaye was inspired by the National Freedom Movement and it was his strong sentiment that Goa should be free from the Colonial rule and integrated with Mother India.

Late Shri Madhu Limaye's contribution to Goa's Freedom struggle is noteworthy. Madhuji led the batch of 85 Satyagrahis crossing the border at Parcem in Pednem Taluka on 24th July 1955. He was arrested and charged for anti-Portuguese activities.

Shri Limaye's contribution as a Parliamentarian in three consecutive Lok Sabhas has been well acclaimed. A noted writer-Shri Limaye's Literary works have always been appreciated by the readers.

The book, 'Goa Liberation Movement and Madhu Limaye' is an expression of Madhu Limaye's thoughts on Goa and his contribution to Goa's Freedom Movement. The book which carries the latest letters written by Shri Madhu Limaye to his friends, followers and family members will be an material on freedom struggle for the readers and researchers.

Preface I have great pleasure to write this Foreword to the book entitled "GOA LIBERATION MOVEMENT AND MADHU LIMAYE which is to be published on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of Goa Liberation Movement which falls on 18th June, 1996.

Since I was the Secretary of the Goa Liberation Aid Committee from the beginning, I was closely in touch with the calendar of events connected with this movement.

This book contains the pages of the diary written by Madhu Limaye during the period of his incarceration under the then Portuguese rule in Goa. The book also includes some letters written by him during the same period. The letters addressed to his little son, who was only one year old, are very touching. "Some Memorable Movements", an article written by his wife Champa Limaye included here, depicts critical picture of the attitude of the then Indian Administrators towards the Goa Freedom Movement. It also covers details of the criss-cross currents of those days, which is an interesting reading. It is now amusing to go through the charges then leveled against Madhu Limaye by the Portuguese Government in the latter's charge sheet and the judgment which are incorporated in this book.

Although the Goa Liberation Movement could not achieve its object immediately, ultimately in December, 1961, the Portuguese rule in India was brought to an end. This movement was not limited to any part of India but had spread to all parts of the country. Several Satyagrahis laid their lives and thousands of them went to prison for participation in the movement. On 15th August, 1955, the mass- satyagraha was launched. Freedom Fighters almost from all the States of India had contributed their mite.

Introduction Today the Goa liberation movement completes its fifty years. It is the Golden Jubilee Year. On 18 June 1946 Dr. Rammanohar Lohia had blown the bugle for the liberation of Goa from the clutches of the Portuguese rulers. The agitation started from Madgaon. The people of Goa were thrilled and they jumped into the struggle.

During 1954-55 the Goa liberation struggle was restarted. Many freedom fighters joined it from all corners of the country. Many became martyrs. Others were imprisoned for a long time. Madhu Limaye was one of the leaders who sacrificed his personal life and happiness for the liberation of Goa. When he entered Goa to offer Satyagraha, he was very ill. He was running 103 degree temperature and was suffering from acute asthmatic attack. Many people tried to dissuade him from participating in the struggle, but he remained firm like a rock in his determination. It was on a dark night in the month of Ashadha-25 July 1955-which the satyagrahis started from Aronda. While leading the batch of satyagrahis, Madhuji cut his foot on a pointed rock. The friends accompanying him applied medicine to the wound and bandaged it.

All the sattyagrahis were severely beaten up at the Pedne police station. The Portuguese rulers used to detain the leaders, but release the other satyagrahis after severe beating. Madhuji was beaten up so much that Marathi daily Lokamanya published the news of his death with a question mark with a banner headline. Everybody was shocked at the news. After our Consulate in Goa was consulted, the news proved to be false.

All the satyagrahi leaders were sentenced to long years of imprisonment. Madhu Limaye was the only person who, true to the principle of satyagraha, did not defend himself. Nor did he go in for appeal. Many people tried to persuade him to defend himself, but he stuck to his principles and refused to defend himself. The satyagrahis were prepared to undergo the long detention. But owing to the international amnesty they were released after 19 months.

**Contents and Sample Pages**