RSS demands apology from Portugual PM on his visit to Goa

PANAJI: The RSS on Tuesday said if Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa visits Goa then he should apologise to the people of the state for 450 years long oppressive rule of Portugal.

"We are not supporting his felicitation on the soil of Goa. We don't want him to be honoured here. But BJP government wants, and if he arrives to accept the felicitation, he will have to apologise to the people of Goa for 450 years long Portuguese oppressive rule," RSS Goa unit Chief Subhash Velingkar told PTI today.

The demand from RSS comes close on the heels of statement by BJP's ally Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) minister Ramakrishna Dhavalikar who had said the Prime Minister should apologise to Goa.

The state Legislative Assembly in the session on January 15 had passed a congratulatory motion to Costa, who has roots in Margao city of South Goa district.

Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar had even said in the session that the government may invite Costa to the state in the near future.

Velingkar on Tuesday said the kind of destruction that was unleashed by Portuguese on the soil of Goa is "unpardonable".

"Portuguese should apologise for their sins. They forced Goa into slavery for 450 years," he said.

Goa was liberated from the Portuguese rule on December 19, 1961.