Panaji, Goa – 16 May 1546 is regarded as the beginning of a deeply painful and dark chapter in Goa’s history. On this day, Francis Xavier wrote to King John III of Portugal requesting the establishment of the Inquisition in Goa.
16th MAY – BLACK DAY IN GOA’S HISTORY !!!
On 16 May 1546, Francis Xavier requested the establishment of the #Goa_Inquisition.
Thousands of Hindus suffered persecution, temple destruction and forced conversions during this dark chapter.
Our Demands-
* Declare 16 May as Black… pic.twitter.com/3ncAbdDWn7— 🚩 Ramesh Shinde 🇮🇳 (@Ramesh_hjs) May 13, 2026
In this context, the Hindu Ekta Manch has demanded that the Goa government officially declare 16 May as a ‘Black Day’ in the state and urged citizens to support this demand. The announcement was made during a press conference held at Azad Maidan on the evening of 13 May.
Present at the press conference were representatives of Hindu Ekta Manch, including Nitin Faldessai, Satyavijay Naik, Jayesh Thali, Sujan Naik, Abhay Samant, and Dinin Pednekar.
The organisation stated that, according to historical documents and research, thousands of Hindus faced religious persecution during the Goa Inquisition. Numerous temples were destroyed, religious practices were restricted, and forced conversions were carried out. Historians have documented these events extensively.
Hindu Ekta Manch Demands May 16 Be Observed as Goa’s ‘Black Day’; Here’s Why || GOA365 pic.twitter.com/JsiTNwbadb
— goa365tv (@goa365tv1) May 14, 2026
Historian Anant Kakba Priolkar, in his book “The Inquisition”, has detailed the inhumane punishments and religious oppression of that period. Similarly, French physician and traveller Charles Dellon, who experienced the Goa Inquisition firsthand, also recorded the atrocities of that time.
The organisation stated that true social harmony cannot be achieved by suppressing history. Accepting and passing on factual history to future generations is essential for a just and democratic society.
Key demands by Hindu Ekta Manch
- Official declaration of 16 May as ‘Black Day’ in Goa’s history
- Inclusion of the true history of the Goa Inquisition in school and college curricula
- Public presentation of the history of destroyed Hindu temples and affected communities
- Establishment of a ‘Goa Inquisition Museum’
- Public apology by the Pope to Goans regarding the Inquisition
- Observance of the day by wearing black bands or black clothing
- Use of black display pictures on social media as a mark of protest
- Public awareness campaigns on social media to share the historical facts of the Goa Inquisition