Genuine freedom fighters never blew their own trumpets. They did not hanker after tamrapatras and state largesse. The dubious variety that did brought a bad name to all freedom fighters (FFs). Fakes would probably outnumber the authentic ones in the state list of registered FFs. Many of the former would barely be in their early teens in 1961. One recalls the attempt to swell the already contaminated list with 'FFs' from North India earlier this decade. Yet, there were some genuine FFs who were barely even known. Some died before 1961. Let's recall one, who died at Silvassa this day precisely 52 years ago, 25 Aug1958, 51 years of age.
Carlos Luis Martinho Nazario da Cruz, born 28 July 1907, was the eldest of 13 children from a middle-class Chandor family. He rebelled early in life. At 11,appearing for the Primary exam, together with his younger sister, he scored the highest but was denied the first rank by 'chivalrous' examiners. They gifted it to his sister, who scored second-highest in the class. Carlos is reported to have caused considerable commotion. In that early incident, perhaps, lay the seed of rebellion against fallacious Portuguese principles and morality - and the colonialists themselves.
Stymied midway in as tormy secondary education at the Panjim Lyceum, he qualified as a school teacher and legal consultant but with limited powers to practice law. While yet a student, he bravely wielded his pen, contributing articles to local journals. When blacked out in a leading publication, he co-founded the 'Oriente,' the first illustrated periodical published in Goa. His first posting was to a school in remote Arambol, where colonial masters thought his voice would be muted in the rest of Goa. He started with a bang, opening the first free night school for the labour class. Arambol instantly became a pilgrim point for Goan educationists!
Governor Craveiro Lopes sent his son (later President of the Portuguese Republic) to cajole Carlos, by now a member of TB da Cunha's Goa Congress Committee. Failed diplomacy. Yet, with hope in heart, the Governor 'gifted' Carlos a transfer to Silvassa in Dadra & Nagar Haveli - a plum posting where all kinds of civil service functionaries minted fortunes, looting the native tribal 'Warlis' (Adivasis), their natural resources, and their women.
The Portuguese had committed a blunder. Carlos took charge, started a periodical 'Sandalcalo' (published from Vapi in British India), exposed corruption at all levels, and braced the tribals for a fight. He was soon dismissed from service. He stayed on, a 'Bapuji' and 'Vakilsaheb' to the Warlis, hitherto a wild tribe. He provided largely free services and often spent his own money on court fees for the poor.
Carlos was deprived of civic rights. He was repeatedly arrested and released, only tobe rearrested a while later, altogether about 12 times. He was kept in long periods of isolation, but it did not break his spirit. He refused orders to remove portraits of Tagore, Gandhi and Nehru from his house. When asked why he had named his eldest daughter after the Rani of Jhansi, he named his next child after Nehru. When questioned again, he named the next one after Lenin!
Aware that his life was in danger, he sought refuge in British India. His first act in Bombay was to address the press and denounce the repressive 'Acto Colonial.' In Bombay, he edited 'The Anglo-Lusitano.' Via a common friend, he ensured his writing reached the eyes of Salazar. Carlos dared the lion in his own lair. He then returned to Silvassa and continued the campaign against corruption.
After Dadra &Nagar Haveli was freed 02 Aug 1954, the Government of India appointed him Public Prosecutor of Nagar Haveli. A debilitating disease struck Carlos. Though he spent 30 of his 51 years in a place where most civil servants amassed much wealth, he died a pauper, this day, 52 years ago. Silvassa shut in mourning. The government accorded him a state funeral. A handful of earth from his native Chandor he had carried decades before was, per his last wish, put in his grave.
His epitaph at Silvassa reads,
Life for him, a mission
His daily lot, a martyrdom
Honours and wealth, he sought not
But for the oppressed, freedom
As we recall the memory of one little-known patriot on his death anniversary today, let us also remember other genuine freedom fighters, several of them mercifully still alive, who sacrificed much to unshackle us from a repressive colonial regime.
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