-Adv. Prasenjit Dhage
For a very long time “Goa for Goans” has been a sentiment reflecting the social, economic and historical background of Goa. Since 1961 all political parties have long tried to prevent cultural amnesia.
While I was travelling on the CHOGM road in Porvorim with my senior Adv Shrinivas R. Khalap who is the brainchild behind this Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2025 Article 371IA bill, he explained what opened the floodgates to tourism and migrants in Goa. He recalled that the CHOGM road is named after the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, a biennial summit which was held in Goa in the year 1983 where leaders from Commonwealth nations met to discuss global issues. This summit according to Khalap put Goa on international map. However, it also had ramifications and slowly Goa began feeling the pain of getting its identity stripped. This is when the conversation for special status for Goa dawned.
It was Mahatma Gandhi who while emphasising the principle of self-reliance (Swadeshi) said, that culture is a dynamic blend of traditions, residing in the people’s hearts, emphasizing synthesis over exclusivity. Goa’s unique culture is a testament to this because there is a synthesis of Portuguese as well as Indian Culture. Goans Hindus and Catholics pray to Goencho saib and Bodgeshwar alike. In Bambolim, commuters of all kinds offer a quick silent prayer while passing by the Fulacho Khuris. In tune with Gandhi’s principles, Goans have maximised synthesis between religions while keeping exclusivity at bay.
Indian states are granted special status in order to preserve unique identities such as those in the Northeast. Special status guarantees equitable development for states with geographical disadvantages such as hilly terrain, strategic borders, or economic backwardness through increased central funding and tax breaks.
Goa makes a compelling argument for inclusion in this framework of unique constitutional status, notwithstanding its modest size and economic advantage over several states. Goa’s unique 450 year Indo-Portuguese cultural synthesis, its delicate ecology, and the ongoing validity of pre-1961 Portuguese civil laws are what make it different. South Goa Member of Parliament Captain Viriato Fernandes’ Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2025 Article 371IA introduced on 05.12.2025 seeks to preserve and advance sustainability of Goa akin to special status.
This bill gives a long pending necessary definition who is a Goan person. It, seeks to provide a constitutional framework for the Central Government to collaborate with the State in addressing pressing concerns concerns: to preserve Goan identity, historical heritage, environment, land and ecologically sensitive areas, ensure demographic stability, uphold the rights of Goan communities, & establish a powerful Goa Sustainable Developmental Council to achieve these goals
Through the Goa Sustainable Developmental Council the bill has endeavored to constitute a super body of persons, to protect & address the above mentioned points.
What the bill is really trying to do is provide a constitutional backing for the ‘Goa For Goans’ idea, making it legally possible to restrict the purchase of Goan lands by non-Goans and possibly slowing down big-infra projects which many see detrimental to the pan Goan identity.
However in epilogue, thinking about this bill in hindsight, since it is a private members’ bill, the Govt. has to support it; the chances of which seem slim. Playing Devil’s advocate, the government may oppose the bill on the ground that it gives too much power to the council and takes away power from the Government.
