Daijiworld Media Network - Navi Mumbai

Navi Mumbai, Oct 4: Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale has said poor members of the Maratha community should be provided reservation but opposed granting blanket reservation to the entire community under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.

Athawale was speaking to reporters after attending a programme organised in Vashi, Navi Mumbai, to mark the 69th anniversary of the Republican Party of India (RPI).

On the Maratha reservation issue, Athawale said families from the Maratha community whose old records establish their eligibility under the OBC category should be given the benefit of OBC reservation on the basis of available records and applicable legal provisions.

At the same time, he supported separate reservation for economically disadvantaged Marathas who do not have records establishing their eligibility under the OBC category. He said the reservation of the OBC community should not be affected while providing benefits to eligible Marathas.

Athawale said the agitation led by Manoj Jarange Patil had brought greater attention to the demand for reservation for poor members of the Maratha community. However, he maintained that the interests and existing reservation rights of the OBC community should not be compromised.

On the drought situation in Maharashtra, Athawale said the state government had declared drought in several talukas and that affected people would be eligible for various government relief measures. He said the government was standing by farmers and urged RPI workers to actively assist people affected by the drought.

Athawale has also previously called for immediate assistance to farmers and agricultural labourers affected by the drought and said RPI workers should extend help on the ground.

Athawale also criticised Cockroach Janata Party founder Abhijit Dipke over his remarks concerning Dr B R Ambedkar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

He objected to Dipke's reported remarks that former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru had helped Dr Ambedkar gain recognition. Athawale accused Dipke of making disrespectful statements and warned him against making such remarks. Recent reports said Athawale had strongly criticised Dipke over his comments concerning Ambedkar and other political leaders.