Joe Antao Memorial Talk

Ganv Bhavancho Ekvott launched its late Adv. Joe Antao Memorial Talk on 25th September with a discussion on the topic “Dual Citizenship/Portuguese Passport” with former MLA Adv. Radharao Gracias and Adv. Cleofato Coutinho giving their views on the topic which were quite divergent and helped people to clear many doubts.

Adv. Radharao asserted that Goans already had Portuguese citizenship and the Government of India conferred Indian Citizenship on all Goans vide the order dated 28th March 1962 but did not cancel the Portuguese citizenship.

Further he said that till December 1974 when the treaty was signed by Indian minister Y B Chavan and Portuguese minister Mario Soares, Portugal always considered Goa to be a part of Portugal and only after the treaty it conceded that Goa was part of the Indian country and hence wondered which nationality Goans had till 1974.

He asserted that while it has become a norm for people to surrender their Indian citizenship after registering their birth in the Registry at Lisbon, the time has now come for someone to challenge this and refuse to give up Indian citizenship when the notice is issued by the Home Department. He also offered to assist and help any person willing to take this path and urged people not to give up their Indian citizenship.

Adv. Cleofato on the other hand asserted that birth at the most gives a nationality and not citizenship. Citizenship is granted by law and taken away by law, he said and added that the Indian law does not permit to have two citizenships.

Referring to the PIO and OCI cards, he said these are mere travel documents introduced to help rich overseas Indian wanting to invest in India and pointed out that these cards do not give the holder a right to participate in the electoral process.

Both Adv. Radharao and Adv. Cleofato clarified that Goans who had taken Portuguese citizenship need not fear for their lands in Goa that they inherited from their ancestors as those including agricultural lands will continue to belong to them.

They also pointed out that Portuguese nationals currently working and living in United Kingdom need not fear as an early treaty between the two countries enables citizens of one country to work and settle in the other.
Earlier, Vice President Darwin Cardoso welcomed the crowd while Illa Coutinho introduced the speakers and Sita Antao proposed the vote of thanks.

Around 50 people were present for the discussion including late Joe Antao’s widow Philoo Antao, Chandor-Cavorim Sarpanch and Deputy Sarpanch Lucia Coutinho e D’Cruz and Marcelo Fernandes respectively and Guirdolim Club President Gidwan D’Costa.