If Pak doesn’t mend ways, decisive battle only way out: Athawale
AMRITSAR : Maharashtra-based Republican Party of India (RPI) (Athawale) president Ramdas Athawale, also the minister of state for social justice and empowerment, said on Saturday that Imran Khan, the would-be Prime Minister of Pakistan, has brought a ray of hope that Indo-pak ties could be mended.
RPI (Athawale) is part of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.
Recalling the 1947 Partition episode, Athawale, who was on a visit to the city, said, “The British caused unprecedented loss to the country by disintegrating it. Had India not been divided, it would not have suffered from terrorism that is being sponsored by Pakistan presently. If Pakistan continues with its ways, a decisive battle is the only way out.”
Commenting on the performance of extremist leader Hafiz Saeed in the Pakistan election, he said, “First of all, this kind of people should not be allowed to contest the elections. Still, this is good news that the people of Pakistan have rejected him. In such a situation, it would remain to be seen how Imran ensures normalisation of bilateral ties,” he added.
BHARAT BANDH CALL BY DALITS
He appealed that the proposed ‘Bharat Bandh’ call by Dalit organisations on August 9 to protest against the Supreme Court ruling on the SC/ST Act should be called off as the Centre has decided to bring an amendment bill to restore the law. “It is a conspiracy by the Congress pertaining to which the Dalits carry a negative attitude towards the Centre,” he said.
Replying to query on lynching of Dalits and other minority communities under the Modi regime, he said these incidents are not new and usually witnessed during the Congress regime as well.
He further said that Dalits in Punjab are the safest of all the other states. “No case of attack on Dalits has been reported so far from Punjab, for which we are grateful,” he said.
Talking about the agitations by Jats, Patels and Marathas seeking reservation, the Union minister advocated 25% reservation in education and jobs for the families of upper castes, whose annual income is below ₹8 lakh.