Photo caption.
MLA Vijai Sardesai and Goa Forward office bearers Mohandas Lolienkar and Dilip Prabhudesai at a media briefing. Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
Goa Forward has threatened to block all entries to the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, on January 30 if the government does not cancel the function to celebrate the official launch of Anup Ashok Sardesai’s book on Nathuram Godse, the story of an assassin at the hands of chairman of Ravindra Bhavan, Damu Naik.
In a letter addressed to the South Goa district collector, Goa Forward State secretary Mohandas Lolienkar demanded that the authorities take necessary action to prevent this activity from being held on the particular day as it is a deliberate attempt to denigrate the memory of the Father of the Nation. “In case the function is not cancelled on the day, we will, as a mark of protest against this anti-national activity, peacefully protest at the venue by offering satyagraha and ensure that the unpatriotic event does not take place by adopting non-violent means and blocking all entries to the venue," Lolienkar stated in his petition.
Addressing the media, MLA Vijai Sardesai said though the event appears innocuous, the release of the book has deliberately been scheduled for January 30, which is the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and is a wickedly veiled celebration of the murder. “It is part of a deliberate design to disturb peace and harmony and to provoke and incite people by insulting the memory of the Mahatma, especially on this particular day. This is the second time that Ravindra Bhavan has attempted to glorify Godse. This is an anti-national act. This is a clear attempt to show disrespect to the Mahatma and disturb the peace," he said, while demanding to know why the book release was scheduled on the day when Gandhiji was assassinated by Godse.
Goa Forward President Prabhakar Timble, who is heading to Dandi, where free thinkers from across India will congregate on Martyr’s Day, said he stands for freedom of expression, but releasing book on Nathuram Godse on Martyr’s Day is perverse expression of freedom. “While free thinkers from all over India will congregate at Dandi on Martyr’s Day for a better India, Ravindra Bhavan, Goa proudly showcases perverse India. Ravindra Bhavan makes a statement on values it upholds. Utter contempt for the Mahatma and highest esteem for Godse on Martyr’s Day," Timble added.
While Damu was scheduled to release the book, the organisers had invited Satyaki Ashok Savarkars, the grand nephew of Nathuram Godse and V D Savarkar.
