ABSTRACT
This chapter analyses the reception of the work and legacy by Gandhi in the twentieth century’s colonial Portugal. It is observed that it has been the progressive press that paid more attention to him, as the outstanding leader of Indian independence regarding the English colonial control and by his pacifist, humanist, religious tolerance, fraternity and equality principles. Many of the analysed authors have used his example to speak of his cause’s fairness but also of other subjects: emancipation of Portuguese India and colonial issue; relation among civilizations and cultures; a more tolerant and dialoguing planetary-scale politics. The way of speaking about Gandhi in Portugal has been often a strategy to dodge political censorship, within a context of affirmation of the currents of people’s self-determination, first, and of anti-colonialism, afterwards. Groups of Goan activists and other progressive thinkers interconnected several presses: the emancipatory Goan, the libertarian, the demo-republican (see Seara Nova) and part Catholic. Some have debated with nationalist authors, involving themselves with another press. The coverage of Gandhi’s work and legacy and its use in the Goan subject is another indicator confirming the pioneer relevance of Portuguese India in the discussion on the end of Portuguese colonialism.
