Background In the 1940s, the
Goa liberation movement experienced increased progress, inspired by the
Indian independence movement against the British government. Following a long imprisonment, freedom fighter
Ram Manohar Lohia met his friend whom he had studied with in Germany
Julião Menezes in Bombay for a
medical consultation in April 1946. Menezes then invited Lohia to recuperate with him at his home in
Assolnã, Goa.
Arrival in Goa Lohia and Menezes reached Assolna on 10 June 1946. After
Evágrio Jorge published the news of Lohia's arrival in the 12 June edition of
O Heraldo, it triggered the general public and other local freedom fighters, including
Purushottam Kakodkar, to visit Menezes's house in large numbers. Menezes and Lohia then began planning a
civil disobedience movement. They addressed people in
Pangim and
Mormugão between 15 and 17 June, informing people that they would defy the ban on public meetings and address an audience of Goans on 18 June in
Margão. They returned to Margao on 17 June and met other nationalists at Damodar Vidyalaya. They suspected that the police would be waiting for them in Assolna, so they stayed at the Hotel Republica in Margao. Menezes and Lohia continued their
nationalistic efforts after this incident. While this event was deemed unsuccessful, it led to over 1,500 arrests and inspired
Goans to keep protesting for their freedom, eventually leading to the
liberation of Goa in 1961. Freedom fighter and politician
George Vaz described the events of this day, "18th June was like a big Light House that guided many ships traveling in the sea," referring to how Lohia inspired many Goan freedom fighters. == Observance ==