Miscellaneous - This Day That Age   

dated September 19, 1955: Policy on Goa approved

The Government of India's foreign policy, particularly the policy pursued in relation to Goa, was approved by the Lok Sabha by an overwhelming majority on September 17. An Opposition motion to disapprove of the policy was rejected by 126 votes against 26, and Mr. K. Raghuramiah's (Congress) motion endorsing the Government's foreign policy and her contribution towards international peace was adopted by an overwhelming voice vote. Although the debate initiated by the Prime Minister was intended to consider the world situation and India's policy in relation thereto, both Mr. Nehru and the Opposition groups concentrated on the Goa issue. The Prime Minister emphatically repudiated the suggestion that the Goa policy had either been reversed or that the reversal was due to internal pressure. He maintained that the Goa policy had been consistent throughout though "it is true that there has sometimes been varying emphasis and that there can be a certain laxity in enforcing that policy." Ironical laughter from the Opposition benches stirred the Prime Minister to warm up and declare that non-peaceful methods for the liberation of Goa must definitely be ruled out. He would not argue with those who held a different view on the subject and it was perfectly open to others to follow any policy they desired. But he cautioned that if the consequences were undesirable, then the Government must intervene.

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