May 1: Senior Congress leader Sharad Pawar today called on the progressive and secular forces to unite together to save the country from the ``stranglehold of fascist organisations.''Addressing a function organised to observe the fifth death anniversary of noted socialist leader N G Goray here today, Pawar said unification of progressive forces would be the real tribute to Goray.At the function, organised by S M Joshi Socialist Foundation and Nanasaheb Goray Academy, Pawar was handed over an album of postal stamps on Goray, released today by the Post department. The stamps could not be released ceremoniously at the function following the imposition of the election code of conduct for the assembly bye-elections.Even while asserting that the Congress would honour the mandate at the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls, Pawar, said, ``But those who have been elevated to power through a democratic system should not take up a path which is detrimental to democratic principles. And, there have been instances which indicate that they might take up a path adverse to unity and integrity of the country.''Citing an example, Pawar referred to the reported statement of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Rajendrasinhji hailing Nathuram Godse who had killed Mahatma Gandhi.``The Sarasanghachalak had said that Godse's motive was good though Godse opted for a wrong path,'' Pawar said adding, ``They would not have dared to say something like this in public a few years ago. It seems that now they have become more aggressive. Hence, there is an urgent need that all progressives forces should unite and remain alert to face the challenges posed by the growing fascist forces.''Pawar expressed apprehensions that fascist forces might distort the history and inflame communal feelings by changing the school curriculum and exploiting media centers controlled by the government.In his presiding address, former MP Madhu Dandavate recalled how Goray had inspired several like-minded people to plunge themselves in the Goa freedom struggle and the Samyukta Maharashtra movement. ``He was against castiesm. Abolishing castiesm from all spheres of our social life would be a real tribute to him,'' Dandavate said.General secretary of the Janata Dal Bapu Kaldate, Pune MP Vitthal Tupe, noted Marathi poet Vasant Bapat, socialist leaders Mrunal Gore and Sadanand Varde also paid tributes to Goray. Former vice-chairman of the Union Planning Commission Mohan Dharia and socialist leaders including Kishore Pawar and Sharad Daftardar were present.
