IndiaTomorrow.net,
New Delhi, July 30: It may sound strange that minister of a government run by Hindu nationalist BJP would suggest a community to convert to a religion other than Hinduism but it is true. Ramdas Bandu Athawale, popularly known as Ramdas Athawale, in an interview to The Indian Express, has said that Dalits should embrace Buddhism – the religion he himself professes. He also asked former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati, who is a strong critique of RSS and BJP, to convert to Buddhism if she is a “true ambedkarite.”
“Mayawati is doing politics over Babasaheb. But she is not following him truly. Mayawati criticises Hindutva but she has not accepted Buddhism. Mayawati is a Hindu. Why is Mayawati not Buddhist, yet, if she claims to be a true Ambedkarite? She keeps criticising Manuvaad, talks about conversions but has not accepted Buddhism. She announced her conversion many times but remains a Hindu. Dalits should embrace Buddhism. The other castes are fine if they merely support Ambedkar and Buddhism. There is no pressure on me because I am a Buddhist. I have a very good relationship with Narendra Modi, I have a good relationship with (BJP president) Amit Shah,” said Athawale, central minister of State of Social Justice and Empowerment.
While strongly condemning the Una incident where four Dalits were brutally assaulted by cow vigilantes, Athawale asked them to protect human beings also if they protect cows.
“The Una incident is very serious. I want to ask gau rakshaks: There is a law against gau hatya (killing of cows), you continue with gau raksha (protection of cows), but why do manav hatya (killing of human beings)? If you do gau raksha, who will do manav raksha (protection of human beings)? They should not beat people. If we don’t skin dead cows, who will do it? It’s not illegal to make leather from the skin of dead bulls and cows. By protecting cows in a violent way, they are defaming their state and the government. The government should deliberate on how to take action against these people who take the law in their hands. The government should ensure that such incidents are not repeated,” Athawale said in the interview to the leading English daily.
