Goa Opinion Poll to feature in history textbook from this year - GBSHSE

The Goa Opinion Poll, popularly known as an opinion poll, will feature in a history textbook from the new academic year, a senior official told here on Wednesday.

The Goa Opinion Poll was a referendum held in the state of Goa, India, on 16 January 1967, to decide the future of the Union Territory of Goa, Daman and Diu within the Indian Union. The people of Goa voted against the merger and Goa continued to be a union territory.

The Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (GBSHSE) has decided to include a chapter on the Goa Opinion Poll in standard IX history book from this year. Former chief minister late Manohar Parrikar had directed that the Opinion Poll should be part of the school curriculum, said GBSHSE chairman Ramakrishna Samant.

The Goa Forward Party led by deputy chief minister Vijai Sardesai had also demanded that the Opinion Poll be part of the school syllabus.

Background:

Goa was the largest part of the Portuguese possession in India, the other territories being small enclaves. In 1961, India incorporated these territories after a military invasion. Since Goa was an acquired territory, it was not given immediate statehood but was incorporated as a Union Territory. Prime minister Jawahar Lal Nehru had promised in 1963 that Goa would remain a Union Territory for ten years after which the future of Goa would be decided in accordance with the wishes of the people of Goa. While a section of the population, led by then ruling `Maharashtrawadi' (pro-Maharashtra) Gomantak Party, favoured merger with the neighbouring state, others wanted Goa to be a separate entity.

The then President of India gave his assent to the Goa, Daman and Diu (Opinion Poll) Act on 16 December 1966 after it was passed in both houses of the parliament. 16 January 1967 was chosen as the date for the referendum.

The referendum offered the people of Goa, Daman and Diu two options-

• To remain a Union Territory of India, or
• To merge Goa with Maharashtra; and Daman and Diu with Gujarat.

The poll was held on 16 January 1967. Consequently, 54.20 per cent voted against merger whereas 43.50 per cent voted in favour. Thus, the Goans rejected the merger with Maharashtra by a vote of 172,191 to 138,170.

Goa did not achieve full statehood in 1971 as was expected. Following persistent demands; including a 1976 resolution by the Goa assembly demanding full statehood; Goa finally became the 25th state of India on 30 May 1987.

(With inputs from Wikipedia)