Naxalism and their violent activities have no place in a democratic country, Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao said.
The Governor was speaking at an award function last evening here, and also advocated the need to delegate major powers to every gram panchayat to make them truly self-reliant and usher them into an era of self-rule to curb Naxalism.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was the chief guest at the function where an 'Excellence in Journalism' award was presented to a local scribe Devendra Gawade ('Loksatta') in memory of freedom fighter C K Marpakwar.
Recalling his electoral career in Naxal-infested part of the then undivided Andhra Pradesh, Rao called for writing fearlessly against Left-wing extremism and hoped that the mainstream media will give adequate space to rural activities.
Fadnavis cautioned against growing threat posed by frontal organisations of the Naxals.
Common people have faith in democracy and it is our collective responsibility to live up to their expectations, he said.
The independent views expressed by scribes are quite helpful in formulation of policies and media has a major role in keeping democracy alive, the chief minister said.
Fadnavis promised to do much more for families hit by Naxal violence.
