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Tag: Ramdas Athawale

  • Nitish can return to NDA anytime: Union Minister Ramdas Athawale

    Express News Service

    PATNA: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar could return to National Democratic Alliance (NDA) anytime, said Ramdas Athawale, Union Minister of State for social justice and empowerment. 

    Athawale, who was here to launch central welfare schemes, also urged Nitish not to attend the third round of meeting of Opposition leaders scheduled to be held in August in Maharashtra.

    The date of the meeting has not been announced so far.

    “Nitish hamare hain, hamare pass kabhi bhi aa sakte hain (Nitish is one among us and can return anytime),” Athawale, who is chief of the Republican Party of India (RPI) said.

    He said that Nitish’s absence was always felt within the NDA. Referring to the long association with Janata Dal (United) supremo, the union minister said that the latter is a good friend.

    “He has been part of the NDA for a long time. Why had he joined NDA when he had the intention of returning to the Opposition camp?” he asked.

    Athawale’s statement ahead of the third round of Opposition meeting assumed significance as Nitish was not happy with the happenings at the second meeting held in Bengaluru on July 17-18. Nitish, however, later clarified the question of being unhappy didn’t arise when his suggestions were honoured.

    The union minister said that Bihar would continue to get its share from the centre so far as development is concerned. Athawale lauded the works undertaken during the tenure of Nitish Kumar when he was part of the NDA.

    “Kafi acchha kaam hua hai. Hum ek din pahle Munger gaye the. Road kafi acchha ho gaya hai (Good works have been done. I had gone to Munger a day earlier. Roads are in good condition),” the union minister said.

    He also rubbished the allegation that non-BJP-ruled states were getting stepmotherly treatment from the centre. “This is wrong and baseless. Bihar is a non-BJP-ruled state now. But the Centre is providing all assistance to the present dispensation. Biharis are our own people,” he added.

    On being asked about JD(U) minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary’s allegation that Bihar was not getting its due share from centre, Athawale said that he (Choudhary) is saying so because of political reasons.

    “JD(U) is not a part of NDA now. That’s why its leaders are making allegations against the central government. Why didn’t they say so when they were part of the ruling NDA in Bihar?” he asked.

    PATNA: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar could return to National Democratic Alliance (NDA) anytime, said Ramdas Athawale, Union Minister of State for social justice and empowerment. 

    Athawale, who was here to launch central welfare schemes, also urged Nitish not to attend the third round of meeting of Opposition leaders scheduled to be held in August in Maharashtra.

    The date of the meeting has not been announced so far.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “Nitish hamare hain, hamare pass kabhi bhi aa sakte hain (Nitish is one among us and can return anytime),” Athawale, who is chief of the Republican Party of India (RPI) said.

    He said that Nitish’s absence was always felt within the NDA. Referring to the long association with Janata Dal (United) supremo, the union minister said that the latter is a good friend.

    “He has been part of the NDA for a long time. Why had he joined NDA when he had the intention of returning to the Opposition camp?” he asked.

    Athawale’s statement ahead of the third round of Opposition meeting assumed significance as Nitish was not happy with the happenings at the second meeting held in Bengaluru on July 17-18. Nitish, however, later clarified the question of being unhappy didn’t arise when his suggestions were honoured.

    The union minister said that Bihar would continue to get its share from the centre so far as development is concerned. Athawale lauded the works undertaken during the tenure of Nitish Kumar when he was part of the NDA.

    “Kafi acchha kaam hua hai. Hum ek din pahle Munger gaye the. Road kafi acchha ho gaya hai (Good works have been done. I had gone to Munger a day earlier. Roads are in good condition),” the union minister said.

    He also rubbished the allegation that non-BJP-ruled states were getting stepmotherly treatment from the centre. “This is wrong and baseless. Bihar is a non-BJP-ruled state now. But the Centre is providing all assistance to the present dispensation. Biharis are our own people,” he added.

    On being asked about JD(U) minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary’s allegation that Bihar was not getting its due share from centre, Athawale said that he (Choudhary) is saying so because of political reasons.

    “JD(U) is not a part of NDA now. That’s why its leaders are making allegations against the central government. Why didn’t they say so when they were part of the ruling NDA in Bihar?” he asked.

  • INTERVIEW | Not only OBCs, all castes should be counted in census: Ramdas Athawale

    Express News Service

    The Centre last week gave an extension to a panel examining sub-categorization of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) for another six months. This is the 13th extension since its formation in 2017. Former Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court G Rohini, thus, has time until January 31, 2023 for the gigantic work.

    The demand for the sub-categorization stems from the fact that only a handful of total OBC communities get a major chunk of the reserved jobs and seats in educational institutes.

    In an interview to Preetha Nair, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale speaks about the status of the Rohini Commission and the need for a nationwide caste census.

    Excerpts from the interview:

    The Commission’s tenure is extended until next year. Why is the report delayed?The Rohini Commission was formed by the Social Justice Ministry in 2017 to subcategorize around 5,000 sub-castes among the OBCs. It is an arduous task to ensure equitable distribution of benefits of reservation among the castes or communities in the category of Central list of OBCs. The commission is still studying various aspects of it. Since it is a complex subject, the commission has to consult states.

    The impression is that only a section of affluent OBCs gets a lion’s share of the benefits. Is the government wary of losing support of certain OBCs?I am not aware of the findings of the Commission. Once its report is ready, it has to be discussed with states. The recommendations also need the approval of the Cabinet. Though the panel’s initial mandate was to examine the distribution of reservation benefits at the Central level, its terms of reference were expanded later. It is not an easy job.

    The BJP ally JD-U will conduct a caste-based census in Bihar. Your party, the RPI, too, has demanded a nationwide caste census…I have always supported caste census. My party’s position is that not only OBCs, all castes should be counted. This will provide clear data on the caste-based marginalization and deprivation. Once all castes are enumerated, we will be able to formulate schemes for the most deprived.

    Does the caste survey conducted by states have any constitutional validity since Census is under Union List?States can do surveys. Unlike the Census, it’s not legally bound. State governments are trying to enumerate the OBC population so that there is equitable distribution of welfare schemes. Many NDA allies have demanded a caste-based census. The government should consider the demand. In Bihar, there are political compulsions.

    The Centre has ruled out a caste census, saying caste-based enumeration is not feasible.That is the position of the government. My party has always stood for caste-based census. As an MP, I have raised the issue in Parliament many times and demanded the government take an immediate decision. There are apprehensions that caste-based census will lead to more casteism. That’s not the case.

    Why do you root for caste-based census?A caste census will help identify the economically and socially deprived sections. Once the data is available, we can design more programmes for them. There is a perception that OBC accounts for 52 per cent of the total population. However, we need to have a clear estimate.

    Is there a fear of the repeat of Mandal politics if caste census is conducted?When the Mandal Commission recommendations came out, the general category protested because they felt that they would lose out on reservations. Now that the NDA government has provided 10 per cent reservation to the EWS, we shouldn’t be seeing such outrage.

  • Maharashtra CM should have resigned after BJP won three RS seats: Athawale

    “BJP has given a severe jolt to the Maha Vikas Aghadi. It is such a jolt that Thackeray has no right to remain in power. When they have lost, they should have resigned on their own,” he said.

  • RPI-A, BJP do not support MNS’ demand for removal of loudspeakers from mosques: Ramdas Athawale

    By PTI

    NAGPUR: Union minister Ramdas Athawale on Tuesday said the RPI-A headed by him doesn’t support MNS chief Raj Thackeray’s demand for the removal of loudspeakers from mosques.

    Speaking to media persons, Athawale, whose party is a constituent of the NDA, also claimed that even the BJP does not support Raj Thackeray’s stand on the issue.

    “If they (MNS) want to use loudspeakers they can do so but we oppose the demand to remove loudspeakers from mosques. Even, Balasaheb Thackeray (Shiv Sena founder) was opposed to such demand. I feel a rift should not be created between religions,” he said.

    The MNS chief had earlier spoken against mosques using loudspeakers to relay prayers and had asked the state government to get them removed by May 3, failing which his party would play Hanuman Chalisa at a higher volume outside mosques.

    Athawale said BJP is not supporting such a call to ban loudspeakers atop mosques.

    “The BJP has never taken such a stand. Prime Minister Narendra Modi believes in ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’ and there is no possibility of the BJP taking such a position. This is Raj Thackeray’s agenda,” he said.

  • Ramdas Athawale​ to expand party base in Madhya Pradesh, think of alliance with BJP in next state polls

    By PTI

    BHOPAL: Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Wednesday said his party may contest the next assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh in alliance with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

    Before that, the Republican Party of India (Athawale), an outfit largely confined to some pockets in adjoining Maharashtra, will try to increase its support base in Madhya Pradesh, he said, while talking to reporters here.

    The next assembly polls in the state are scheduled in 2023.

    “We did not have a mass base in Madhya Pradesh till now. Now, we will increase our support base. If the party becomes strong in the next one-and-a-half years, then I will talk to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan about contesting the next elections (in alliance with BJP),” he said in reply to a question.

    Athawale said he has made organisational appointments in his party’s MP unit.

    He said the RPI (Athawale) is with the ruling party at the Centre and expressed the hope that “the BJP will definitely take us along in Madhya Pradesh also.”

    While praising the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Madhya Pradesh for their welfare work for farmers, Dalits and tribals, the Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment said his party has demanded that government employees from SC/ST communities be given reservation in promotions.

    Athawale said he will raise this issue with Chouhan and also at the Centre.

  • Any person from outside Gandhi family should become next Congress chief, not Rahul Gandhi: Ramdas Athawale

    Ramdas Athawale suggested Congress should pick a person from outside the Nehru-Gandhi family as its next president instead of Rahul Gandhi.

  • India must not play Pakistan in T20 World Cup game: Union Minister Ramdas Athawale

    By PTI

    PUNE: Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Tuesday slammed Pakistan for the spurt in terror activities in Jammu and Kashmir, including targeted killings of migrant labourers, and said India must have an ‘aar paar ki ladaai’ with its neighbour to set things right.

    He also said India should not play its scheduled T20 World Cup match against Pakistan on October 24 in order to teach the latter a lesson.

    “If Pakistan does not stop its activities in the (J-K) Valley, then there has to be an aar paar ki ladaai (all out war to settle things once and for all). In J-K, attacks are taking place on migrant labourers, local Kashmiri Pandits are being targeted. It is Pakistan’s ploy to not allow development in the Valley,” the Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment told reporters.

    “By resorting to such militant attacks, there is an attempt to spread fear among the workers who are coming to the Valley from UP and Bihar. But the Centre will not fall prey to such tactics and a strategy is being formed to end militancy. There is need to conduct another surgical strike against Pakistan, which needs to vacate PoK and stop terror activities,” the minister added.

    Queried on the upcoming T20 match between the two nations, Athawale said India should not play Pakistan, adding that he would express his opinion on this matter to BCCI secretary Jay Shah.

    Speaking about other issues, the RPI(A) leader said the Supreme Court had allowed states to take a decision on reservations in promotions, but states were taking the “opposite decision”.

    “We appeal to the states to allow reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in promotions. We also want the Centre to come up with a law in the regard,” the minister said.

    He said his party was also in favour of a caste-base census, though the government’s stand was that such an exercise may increase casteism in the country, he said.

    “A caste-based census will give us the population count of communities, and this will help bring in welfare schemes for them in a better way,” Athawale said.

    He rejected NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s allegations that the Centre was using probe agencies under its command to target opposition parties and leaders.

    “These agencies are under the Centre but they function independently. The government is not telling them whom to target,” he added.

  • 10 per cent quota for EWS won’t affect existing system: Union Minister Ramdas Athawale

    By PTI

    CHENNAI: Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale on Sunday said he favoured a caste based census to ascertain the exact population of various communities and stressed that the BJP-led government’s 10 percent reservation for the economically weaker section will not affect the existing reservation system.

    Among an increasing chorus by various sections seeking enhanced reservation, a question has been raised about the ceiling for providing the quota, he said. “For instance Tamil Nadu has the highest proportion of reservation at 69 percent ensuring quota for various sections. There are many sections across the country who demand enhanced reservation,” the Minister noted.

    On his visit to the metro, Athawale justified the Centre’s 10 percent quota for EWS and hinted that this would not affect those already enjoying the reservation. “Personally, I would favour a caste based census. But it is upto the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to decide,” the Republican Party of India (Athawale) chief told reporters.

    On the DMK storming to power in the State after a decade, Athawale said Tamil Nadu people’s clear mandate to the DMK has to be accepted. “But during the next Assembly election, the people will vote the AIADMK-BJP combine to power. I request Chief Minister MK Stalinji to give land to the landless poor for free and also protect the Dalit community from atrocities,” the Union Minister said.

    Recalling his recent visit to Kashmir, Athawale claimed the atmosphere in Kashmir has transformed for the better after the abrogation of Article 370 (on August 5, 2019) and the bifurcation into two Union territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. “On the second anniversary, I noticed the Indian tricolour flying more prominently everywhere,” he said.

  • Patidars cannot be included in OBC category but can have separate quota: Ramdas Athawale

    By PTI

    AHMEDABAD: The Patidar community in Gujarat can not be included in Other Backward Classes (OBC) but they can be given reservation in a separate category, Union social justice minister Ramdas Athawale said here on Saturday.

    “My opinion is that they cannot be included in the OBC category, but they can be given reservation under a separate category,” he said, speaking to reporters.

    In 2015, Gujarat was rocked by widespread protests by the Patidar community which has been demanding quota in government jobs and education.

    Ahead of Assembly elections which are due next year, the two main sub-castes of the community recently announced that they were joining hands.

    “From the outset we have been demanding a law to give reservation to Marathas in Maharashtra, Patidars in Gujarat, Jats in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh and Rajputs in Rajasthan, provided the beneficiary’s (annual) income is under Rs 8 lakh,” Athawale said.

    The Union government’s decision to amend Article 342 (A) of the Constitution to restore the power of states to identify Socially and Economically Backward Classes will help Marathas and Patidars get reservation, he said.

    He also sought to dismiss “rumours” that the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi planned to “change the Constitution.”

    The prime minister supports reservations and his government provided 10 percent Economically Weaker Section (EWS) quota to those from the general category, Athawale said.

  • ‘Hum do, Hamara ek’: Union Minister Ramdas Athawale bats for one-child norm in India

    By PTI

    AHMEDABAD: Union social justice minister Ramdas Athawale on Saturday said his party supports one-child policy as the population growth in the country needs to be controlled for ensuring development.

    Asked about a recent remark of Gujarat deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel that people would be able to talk about Constitution and secularism only so long as Hindus are in majority, he said there was no possibility of Hindu population dwindling.

    “I do not think there is any question of Hindu population declining. Hindus remain Hindu and Muslims remain Muslim. Hardly one or two Hindus or Muslims convert.

    The Constitution gives people the right to do what they like, but nobody can force any person to covert,” Athawale said, speaking to reporters here.

    There would not be much change in the proportion of Hindus and Muslims in the population, he said, adding that “it is not the case that the population of Muslims has risen sharply in all these years”.

    “There is a need to control the population for the development of the country, irrespective of whether it is the population of Hindus or Muslims,” said the Union minister, who heads the Republican Party of India (Athawale group), a constituent of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

    “If we adopt one family, one child (policy), we would be able to reduce population.

    For now we have ‘hum do, hamare do’. Our party’s stand is that to reduce population, there should be a law for ‘hum do, hamara ek, (one family, one child),” Athawale said.

    He will take up this issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he added.

    Nitin Patel had recently said at a public event that “those talking about the Constitution, laws, secularism will continue to talk only as long as Hindus are in majority in this country. (if) the number of Hindus decreases, and (number of) people of another religion increase, there will be no courts, Lok Sabha, Constitution, secularism, they will all vanish in thin air.”

    Asked about several instances of Dalits facing intimidation for sporting moustache or riding a horse being reported in Gujarat, Athawale, a prominent Dalit leader from Maharashtra, said he will raise the issue with Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.

    “It is true that the caste system continues to exist not only in Gujarat, but across the country.

    From the point of view of law it has ended, but it continues to exist in the minds of people,” he said.

    He will ask Rupani to take special measures for the protection of Dalits, he added.

    Athawale also opined that reservation should be for those whose annual income is below Rs 8 lakh.

    The BJP will win in four out of five states — Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, Uttarakhand and Goa — where Assembly elections are due in coming months, the RPI chief said, making exception for Punjab where the saffron party’s alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal has ended.

    “RPI will support the BJP in all these four states,” he added.

    His ministry was working towards ending manual scavenging through a scheme to provide Rs 40,000 each to some 60,000 scavengers in the country, he informed.