Abstract
This text analyzes the reception of the work and legacy of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in the colonial Portugal of the twentieth century. It turns out that it is in the progressive press that Gandhi is given more attention - particularly by his facet of leading Indian independence over the British colonial yoke, but also by his pacifist, humanistic principles of religious tolerance, fraternity and equality. His example is used to speak of the correctness of his cause, but also of other themes (connected or not): emancipation of the Portuguese India and the colonial issue; relationship between civilizations and cultures; the ingredients of a planetary policy that is more tolerant and dialogical. Gandhi’s reception in Portugal was often a ploy to escape political censorship, in a context of affirmation of the chains of self-determination of peoples, first, and of anti-colonialism, later. Groups of Goan activists and other progressive thinkers crosslinked different presses: the Goan emancipalist, the libertarian, the demo-republican (eg, Seara Nova) and part of the Catholic. Some came to debate with nationalist authors, involving another press in the public arena. It was not uncommon for series of articles (and/or conferences) to originate booklets or books, attesting the relevance of these writings and opening the debate to new audiences. In addition, translations of Gandhi’s memoirs and reference biographies between post-World War II and the 1960s were published, the period of fierce strife surrounding Portuguese India between the new Indian Union and ancient colonial Portugal. Gandhi’s coverage and its use in the Goa issue is yet another indicator to attest to the pioneering relevance of Portuguese India in discussing the end of Portuguese colonialism.
Keywords
Gandhi; reception; colonialism; Goa; India; nationalism