Why Nehru waited 14 years to end Portuguese rule in Goa On June 18, 1946, socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia and Julião de Menezes led a civil disobedience movement against Portuguese rule in Goa, marking a pivotal moment in the territory’s anti-colonial struggle.
This protest, now commemorated as Goa Revolution Day, symbolized the local resistance against Portuguese colonialism. Yet, despite India’s independence in 1947, Goa remained under Portuguese control until 1961.
Portugal refused to relinquish its Indian territories—Goa, Daman, Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli—even after the British left India. For 14 years, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru resisted calls for military intervention, opting instead for diplomacy and international pressure.
Nehru’s reluctance stemmed from his belief in peaceful conflict resolution, fearing that the use of force would harm India’s reputation among newly independent nations. Nehru’s Dilemma Nehru viewed Portuguese rule in Goa as outdated and inconsistent with India’s sovereignty.
However, he was committed to resolving the issue diplomatically, engaging in negotiations with António de Oliveira Salazar’s regime.
Nehru’s government also sought to highlight the issue at international forums, including the Bandung Conference in 1955, where he worked to build Afro-Asian solidarity against colonialism.
Despite Nehru’s diplomatic efforts, Portugal remained steadfast, refusing to negotiate or relinquish its territories.
NewsDarpan
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