PANAJI, INDIA, June 2, 2002: The Portuguese may have created two different communities when they ruled the state of Goa but Catholics and Hindus here say that despite practicing different religions, they are ultimately Goans, at heart, according to this article. A majority of the Catholics here comprise those who converted from the dominant Hindu community. They make up 30 percent of Goa’s total population of 1.4 million. But their traditions, lifestyle, cultures, food habits and attire remain similar to those of the Hindus. Converted through an inquisition order of the king in 1510 when the Portuguese invaded Goa, a decree forcibly converted the original natives and resulted in the destruction of many Hindu temples. A section of the Brahmin community was also forcibly converted and they later came to be known as Catholic Brahmins. Goan Catholics were later sub-divided into several castes, despite the fact that their religion does not follow any caste system. The old caste system is practiced covertly, especially while seeking marriage proposals. The communities take pride in the fact that Goa has never witnessed a communal riot.
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