Panjim — Decades ahead of RSS’ ghar wapsi, a small hamlet near Panjim had begun its homecoming, its villagers reconverting to Hinduism without any religious affairs.
Nauxi, a fishermen’s village 10 kilometers from Panjim, reverted to its old ways soon after Goa’s Liberation, and its villagers continue to name their children with the surname of their forefathers, and not the surname adopted after they embraced Christianity, forcefully under Portuguese rule.
“What we did was nothing illegal or new. We were Hindus and were forced to get converted and practice another religion. So after liberation we decided to name our children accordingly,” said Narayan Rosario, whose son is Anil Kunkolkar.
After Anil was born, the family registered his surname after the village they originally belonged to. Kunkolkar stems from Cuncolim village in south Goa where they worship the deity Goddess Shantadurga Cuncolienkarin, reported Heraldgoa.
Nauxi today has surnames like Mardolkar and Kankonkar which originate from the village where the residents’ ancestors came from. “We were converted under threat. So when Portuguese rule ended (in 1961) we decided to convert back. We had no religious ceremony but decided that the new child born would be given our original surname,” said Rosario.
Narayan Rosario’s brother is Govind Rosario. And Govind has named his son as Suresh Kunkolkar and his grandson Sumesh Kunkolkar.
“We followed Hindu rituals even when we were asked to take Catholic surnames. We never gave up our religion from the heart,” says Govind.
After taking over Goa, Portuguese missionaries converted a large number of people in this territory.
Situated on the shore of Arabian Sea overlooking Vasco harbour, Nauxi has no temple or a church. “We follow our faith in our houses. There was never a church or temple here. But we do visit our deity temples in the village once a year,” said Shivram Kankonkar, who finds his roots in Canacona village and worships the deity Lord Mallikarjun.
The state’s legal machinery has been helping the people to change their surnames. “You have to fill a diversion certificate by visiting the Revenue Department. Sometimes, you have to advertise for change of name in the newspaper and get it done,” said Anil.
Living a laid back life, the villagers are unaware about RSS ghar wapsi campaign, which attained international attention. “No one can convert us under duress. Gone are the days when our forefathers faced it. We are doing what we feel is right,” said Anil.