Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Hindu Ekta Manch, Goa has demanded that the Goa Government officially declare 16 May as a “Black Day” in Goa, stating that the date marks the beginning of one of the most painful chapters in the state’s history.
The organisation said that on 16 May 1546, Francis Xavier wrote a letter to King John III of Portugal requesting the establishment of the Inquisition in Goa, and appealed to citizens to support the demand. The statement was made during a press conference held at Azad Maidan in Panaji on 13th May, where office bearers including Nitin Phaldesai, Satyavijay Naik, Jayesh Thali, Sujan Naik, Abhay Samant, and Dinin Pednekar were present.
The organisation claimed that historical records and research indicate that thousands of Hindus faced religious persecution during the Goa Inquisition period, alleging that temples were destroyed, religious practices were restricted, and forced conversions were carried out. It cited historical writings, including Anant Kakba Priolkar’s The Inquisition, which describes punitive measures and religious oppression during that era, as well as accounts by French physician and traveller Charles Dellon, who documented his experiences related to the Inquisition.
Hindu Ekta Manch has raised several demands, including declaring 16 May as “Black Day in the History of Goa”, incorporating the history of the Goa Inquisition into school and college textbooks, and publicly documenting the destruction of temples and the suffering of the Hindu community. The group has also called for the establishment of a “Goa Inquisition Museum” in the state and sought a public apology from the Pope to Goan Hindus.
Further, the organisation has urged citizens to observe 16 May as a day of protest by wearing black bands or black clothing and changing social media display pictures to black, along with spreading awareness about the historical events through online platforms. It stated that true harmony in society cannot be achieved by suppressing history, and emphasized that acknowledging historical facts and passing them on to future generations is essential for democracy and justice.
