‘Political quota must be abolished’, says Prakash Ambedkar
Of late, the dominant and influential Maratha community has been taking out silent rallies across the state over making changes in the Atrocities Act and reservation in education and employment.
Prakash Ambedkar, party leader of Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh spoke on why reservation is not the answer for development of the Maratha community and stressed on reviving the cooperative movement which has played a significant role in addressing the concerns of the farmers, who are primarily Marathas. Some edited excerpts of the interview:
One of the demands made at the Maratha rallies is the modification of the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Do you think there is a misuse of Atrocities Act?
They are not clear on what needs to be modified in the Atrocities Act. There was a discussion in Parliament on the Atrocities Act, where the necessary changes were sought. I checked the papers but neither the Maratha MPs nor the NCP leaders have made any suggestions towards it then. Unless they put up a draft of the concerned changes needed these could be mere rhetoric.
There have been cases where one Maratha had asked his Dalit labourer to use the Atrocity Act against a rival Maratha to settle personal or political scores. People like Ramdas Athawale who were then protected by the Marathas, have misused the Act.
The Maratha youth feels that their leaders have never addressed the issue of unemployment, while Dalits, OBCs and tribals, using their quotas overtook them. This grudge forms the base for demands for reservation in education and jobs. Do you think providing reservations will help the community to solve at least some of their problems?
Prakash Ambedkar: A small Maratha farmer is losing to the powerful Maratha. The bigger issue is whether the Marathas are going to vote on caste basis or vote for a leader working on socio-political issues. It is felt that reservation is the way for development. Reservation is not the answer for development, it has been given to the SCs and STs who were always kept outside the political and administrative system, to ensure their participation. Political reservation was meant for only 10 years and should be abolished now. But none of the political parties is willing to do so. Marathas should first collect data to show that they are socially and economically backwards and that they fit into the criteria fixed for the OBCs.
The government’s inability to handle the agricultural crises faced by the Marathas is said to be one of the reasons behind these silent rallies.
Prakash Ambedkar: As long as the Marathas are going to vote based on caste, their situation is not going to change. Once a Maratha leader gets elected on the votes of these farmers he switches side over to the purchaser. They should start criticising their own leaders who are in power and have been ignoring their demands. Marathas should understand that their future lies in the development of the co-operative sector. Former Chief Minister Yashwantrao Chavan was a prominent Maratha leader who realised that the exploitation of farmers must be stopped and for that, the farmer must get into the co-operative movement. Co-operative movement can help these farmers succeed at the economic and socio-political level. Privatisation had brought in competition. A farmer can face competition only through a co-operative movement. Marathas have to reflect on the fact which of their leaders have destroyed co-operative movement in Maharashtra and name them.
Do you feel there is a kind of anxiousness among other communities and groups since the Maratha community has come together in such strong way?
Prakash Ambedkar: Some forces were working on Dalits, but we didn’t allow that to happen. Now, they have focused their attention on the OBCs. One section of media which is dominated by the Hindutva forces is trying to ignite the issue. There is a section which is neutral towards the issue that is trying to defuse the entire movement. However, media inclined towards Hindutva forces has the upper hand.
In the past OBC leaders, Gopinath Munde and Chhagan Bhujbal have worked across party lines to oppose the sharing of OBC quota. What do you think could be the reason behind senior BJP leader and minister Pankaja Munde meeting Chhagan Bhujbal in jail. What compelled her to meet him now, since Bhujbal has been unwell for quite some time?
Prakash Ambedkar: The meetings organised by the OBCs held in the background of Maratha rallies had been held before Pankaja met Bhujbal. Now, the OBCs rallies would be as spontaneous held as those organised by the Marathas.
There is a section of society which feels that the genuine demands, especially economic ones will remain neglected in spite of the rallies as they might get entangled in caste and identity issues. Your view?
Prakash Ambedkar: We have to wait and watch the Mumbai rally, whether it is going to be organised or would be spontaneous. If the Mumbai rally is well organised a new political leadership may emerge.
The Maratha youth feels that their leaders have never addressed the issue of unemployment, while Dalits, OBCs and tribals, using their quotas overtook them. This grudge forms the base for demands for reservation in education and jobs. Do you think providing reservations will help the community to solve at least some of their problems?
Prakash Ambedkar: A small Maratha farmer is losing to the powerful Maratha. The bigger issue is whether the Marathas are going to vote on caste basis or vote for a leader working on socio-political issues. It is felt that reservation is the way for development. Reservation is not the answer for development, it has been given to the SCs and STs who were always kept outside the political and administrative system, to ensure their participation. Political reservation was meant for only 10 years and should be abolished now. But none of the political parties is willing to do so. Marathas should first collect data to show that they are socially and economically backwards and that they fit into the criteria fixed for the OBCs.
The government’s inability to handle the agricultural crises faced by the Marathas is said to be one of the reasons behind these silent rallies.
Prakash Ambedkar: As long as the Marathas are going to vote based on caste, their situation is not going to change. Once a Maratha leader gets elected on the votes of these farmers he switches side over to the purchaser. They should start criticising their own leaders who are in power and have been ignoring their demands. Marathas should understand that their future lies in the development of the co-operative sector. Former Chief Minister Yashwantrao Chavan was a prominent Maratha leader who realised that the exploitation of farmers must be stopped and for that, the farmer must get into the co-operative movement. Co-operative movement can help these farmers succeed at the economic and socio-political level. Privatisation had brought in competition. A farmer can face competition only through a co-operative movement. Marathas have to reflect on the fact which of their leaders have destroyed co-operative movement in Maharashtra and name them.
Do you feel there is a kind of anxiousness among other communities and groups since the Maratha community has come together in such strong way?
Prakash Ambedkar: Some forces were working on Dalits, but we didn’t allow that to happen. Now, they have focused their attention on the OBCs. One section of media which is dominated by the Hindutva forces is trying to ignite the issue. There is a section which is neutral towards the issue that is trying to defuse the entire movement. However, media inclined towards Hindutva forces has the upper hand.
In the past OBC leaders, Gopinath Munde and Chhagan Bhujbal have worked across party lines to oppose the sharing of OBC quota. What do you think could be the reason behind senior BJP leader and minister Pankaja Munde meeting Chhagan Bhujbal in jail. What compelled her to meet him now, since Bhujbal have been unwell for quite some time?
Prakash Ambedkar: The meetings organised by the OBCs held in the background of Maratha rallies had been held before Pankaja met Bhujbal. Now, the OBCs rallies would be as spontaneous held as those organised by the Marathas.
There is a section of society which feels that the genuine demands, especially economic ones will remain neglected in spite of the rallies as they might get entangled in caste and identity issues. Your view?
Prakash Ambedkar: We have to wait and watch the Mumbai rally, whether it is going to be organised or would be spontaneous. If the Mumbai rally is well organised a new political leadership may emerge.
The Maratha youth feels that their leaders have never addressed the issue of unemployment, while Dalits, OBCs and tribals, using their quotas overtook them. This grudge forms the base for demands for reservation in education and jobs. Do you think providing reservations will help the community to solve at least some of their problems?
Prakash Ambedkar: A small Maratha farmer is losing to the powerful Maratha. The bigger issue is whether the Marathas are going to vote on caste basis or vote for a leader working on socio-political issues. It is felt that reservation is the way for development. Reservation is not the answer for development, it has been given to the SCs and STs who were always kept outside the political and administrative system, to ensure their participation. Political reservation was meant for only 10 years and should be abolished now. But none of the political parties is willing to do so. Marathas should first collect data to show that they are socially and economically backwards and that they fit into the criteria fixed for the OBCs.
The government’s inability to handle the agricultural crises faced by the Marathas is said to be one of the reasons behind these silent rallies.
Prakash Ambedkar: As long as the Marathas are going to vote based on caste, their situation is not going to change. Once a Maratha leader gets elected on the votes of these farmers he switches side over to the purchaser. They should start criticising their own leaders who are in power and have been ignoring their demands. Marathas should understand that their future lies in the development of the co-operative sector. Former Chief Minister Yashwantrao Chavan was a prominent Maratha leader who realised that the exploitation of farmers must be stopped and for that, the farmer must get into the co-operative movement. Co-operative movement can help these farmers succeed at the economic and socio-political level. Privatisation had brought in competition. A farmer can face competition only through a co-operative movement. Marathas have to reflect on the fact which of their leaders have destroyed co-operative movement in Maharashtra and name them.
Do you feel there is a kind of anxiousness among other communities and groups since the Maratha community has come together in such strong way?
Prakash Ambedkar: Some forces were working on Dalits, but we didn’t allow that to happen. Now, they have focused their attention on the OBCs. One section of media which is dominated by the Hindutva forces is trying to ignite the issue. There is a section which is neutral towards the issue that is trying to defuse the entire movement. However, media inclined towards Hindutva forces has the upper hand.
In the past OBC leaders, Gopinath Munde and Chhagan Bhujbal have worked across party lines to oppose the sharing of OBC quota. What do you think could be the reason behind senior BJP leader and minister Pankaja Munde meeting Chhagan Bhujbal in jail. What compelled her to meet him now, since Bhujbal has been unwell for quite some time?
Prakash Ambedkar: The meetings organised by the OBCs held in the background of Maratha rallies had been held before Pankaja met Bhujbal. Now, the OBCs rallies would be as spontaneous held as those organised by the Marathas.
There is a section of society which feels that the genuine demands, especially economic ones will remain neglected in spite of the rallies as they might get entangled in caste and identity issues. Your view?
Prakash Ambedkar: We have to wait and watch the Mumbai rally, whether it is going to be organised or would be spontaneous. If the Mumbai rally is well organised a new political leadership may emerge.
Prakash Ambedkar, party leader of Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh spoke on why reservation is not the answer for development of the Maratha community and stressed on reviving the cooperative movement which has played a significant role in addressing the concerns of the farmers, who are primarily Marathas. Some edited excerpts of the interview:
One of the demands made at the Maratha rallies is the modification of the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Do you think there is a misuse of Atrocities Act?
They are not clear on what needs to be modified in the Atrocities Act. There was a discussion in Parliament on the Atrocities Act, where the necessary changes were sought. I checked the papers but neither the Maratha MPs nor the NCP leaders have made any suggestions towards it then. Unless they put up a draft of the concerned changes needed these could be mere rhetoric.
There have been cases where one Maratha had asked his Dalit labourer to use the Atrocity Act against a rival Maratha to settle personal or political scores. People like Ramdas Athawale who were then protected by the Marathas, have misused the Act.
The Maratha youth feels that their leaders have never addressed the issue of unemployment, while Dalits, OBCs and tribals, using their quotas overtook them. This grudge forms the base for demands for reservation in education and jobs. Do you think providing reservations will help the community to solve at least some of their problems?
Prakash Ambedkar: A small Maratha farmer is losing to the powerful Maratha. The bigger issue is whether the Marathas are going to vote on caste basis or vote for a leader working on socio-political issues. It is felt that reservation is the way for development. Reservation is not the answer for development, it has been given to the SCs and STs who were always kept outside the political and administrative system, to ensure their participation. Political reservation was meant for only 10 years and should be abolished now. But none of the political parties is willing to do so. Marathas should first collect data to show that they are socially and economically backwards and that they fit into the criteria fixed for the OBCs.
The government’s inability to handle the agricultural crises faced by the Marathas is said to be one of the reasons behind these silent rallies.
Prakash Ambedkar: As long as the Marathas are going to vote based on caste, their situation is not going to change. Once a Maratha leader gets elected on the votes of these farmers he switches side over to the purchaser. They should start criticising their own leaders who are in power and have been ignoring their demands. Marathas should understand that their future lies in the development of the co-operative sector. Former Chief Minister Yashwantrao Chavan was a prominent Maratha leader who realised that the exploitation of farmers must be stopped and for that, the farmer must get into the co-operative movement. Co-operative movement can help these farmers succeed at the economic and socio-political level. Privatisation had brought in competition. A farmer can face competition only through a co-operative movement. Marathas have to reflect on the fact which of their leaders have destroyed co-operative movement in Maharashtra and name them.
Do you feel there is a kind of anxiousness among other communities and groups since the Maratha community has come together in such strong way?
Prakash Ambedkar: Some forces were working on Dalits, but we didn’t allow that to happen. Now, they have focused their attention on the OBCs. One section of media which is dominated by the Hindutva forces is trying to ignite the issue. There is a section which is neutral towards the issue that is trying to defuse the entire movement. However, media inclined towards Hindutva forces has the upper hand.
In the past OBC leaders, Gopinath Munde and Chhagan Bhujbal have worked across party lines to oppose the sharing of OBC quota. What do you think could be the reason behind senior BJP leader and minister Pankaja Munde meeting Chhagan Bhujbal in jail. What compelled her to meet him now, since Bhujbal has been unwell for quite some time?
Prakash Ambedkar: The meetings organised by the OBCs held in the background of Maratha rallies had been held before Pankaja met Bhujbal. Now, the OBCs rallies would be as spontaneous held as those organised by the Marathas.
There is a section of society which feels that the genuine demands, especially economic ones will remain neglected in spite of the rallies as they might get entangled in caste and identity issues. Your view?
Prakash Ambedkar: We have to wait and watch the Mumbai rally, whether it is going to be organised or would be spontaneous. If the Mumbai rally is well organised a new political leadership may emerge.
The Maratha youth feels that their leaders have never addressed the issue of unemployment, while Dalits, OBCs and tribals, using their quotas overtook them. This grudge forms the base for demands for reservation in education and jobs. Do you think providing reservations will help the community to solve at least some of their problems?
Prakash Ambedkar: A small Maratha farmer is losing to the powerful Maratha. The bigger issue is whether the Marathas are going to vote on caste basis or vote for a leader working on socio-political issues. It is felt that reservation is the way for development. Reservation is not the answer for development, it has been given to the SCs and STs who were always kept outside the political and administrative system, to ensure their participation. Political reservation was meant for only 10 years and should be abolished now. But none of the political parties is willing to do so. Marathas should first collect data to show that they are socially and economically backwards and that they fit into the criteria fixed for the OBCs.
The government’s inability to handle the agricultural crises faced by the Marathas is said to be one of the reasons behind these silent rallies.
Prakash Ambedkar: As long as the Marathas are going to vote based on caste, their situation is not going to change. Once a Maratha leader gets elected on the votes of these farmers he switches side over to the purchaser. They should start criticising their own leaders who are in power and have been ignoring their demands. Marathas should understand that their future lies in the development of the co-operative sector. Former Chief Minister Yashwantrao Chavan was a prominent Maratha leader who realised that the exploitation of farmers must be stopped and for that, the farmer must get into the co-operative movement. Co-operative movement can help these farmers succeed at the economic and socio-political level. Privatisation had brought in competition. A farmer can face competition only through a co-operative movement. Marathas have to reflect on the fact which of their leaders have destroyed co-operative movement in Maharashtra and name them.
Do you feel there is a kind of anxiousness among other communities and groups since the Maratha community has come together in such strong way?
Prakash Ambedkar: Some forces were working on Dalits, but we didn’t allow that to happen. Now, they have focused their attention on the OBCs. One section of media which is dominated by the Hindutva forces is trying to ignite the issue. There is a section which is neutral towards the issue that is trying to defuse the entire movement. However, media inclined towards Hindutva forces has the upper hand.
In the past OBC leaders, Gopinath Munde and Chhagan Bhujbal have worked across party lines to oppose the sharing of OBC quota. What do you think could be the reason behind senior BJP leader and minister Pankaja Munde meeting Chhagan Bhujbal in jail. What compelled her to meet him now, since Bhujbal have been unwell for quite some time?
Prakash Ambedkar: The meetings organised by the OBCs held in the background of Maratha rallies had been held before Pankaja met Bhujbal. Now, the OBCs rallies would be as spontaneous held as those organised by the Marathas.
There is a section of society which feels that the genuine demands, especially economic ones will remain neglected in spite of the rallies as they might get entangled in caste and identity issues. Your view?
Prakash Ambedkar: We have to wait and watch the Mumbai rally, whether it is going to be organised or would be spontaneous. If the Mumbai rally is well organised a new political leadership may emerge.
The Maratha youth feels that their leaders have never addressed the issue of unemployment, while Dalits, OBCs and tribals, using their quotas overtook them. This grudge forms the base for demands for reservation in education and jobs. Do you think providing reservations will help the community to solve at least some of their problems?
Prakash Ambedkar: A small Maratha farmer is losing to the powerful Maratha. The bigger issue is whether the Marathas are going to vote on caste basis or vote for a leader working on socio-political issues. It is felt that reservation is the way for development. Reservation is not the answer for development, it has been given to the SCs and STs who were always kept outside the political and administrative system, to ensure their participation. Political reservation was meant for only 10 years and should be abolished now. But none of the political parties is willing to do so. Marathas should first collect data to show that they are socially and economically backwards and that they fit into the criteria fixed for the OBCs.
The government’s inability to handle the agricultural crises faced by the Marathas is said to be one of the reasons behind these silent rallies.
Prakash Ambedkar: As long as the Marathas are going to vote based on caste, their situation is not going to change. Once a Maratha leader gets elected on the votes of these farmers he switches side over to the purchaser. They should start criticising their own leaders who are in power and have been ignoring their demands. Marathas should understand that their future lies in the development of the co-operative sector. Former Chief Minister Yashwantrao Chavan was a prominent Maratha leader who realised that the exploitation of farmers must be stopped and for that, the farmer must get into the co-operative movement. Co-operative movement can help these farmers succeed at the economic and socio-political level. Privatisation had brought in competition. A farmer can face competition only through a co-operative movement. Marathas have to reflect on the fact which of their leaders have destroyed co-operative movement in Maharashtra and name them.
Do you feel there is a kind of anxiousness among other communities and groups since the Maratha community has come together in such strong way?
Prakash Ambedkar: Some forces were working on Dalits, but we didn’t allow that to happen. Now, they have focused their attention on the OBCs. One section of media which is dominated by the Hindutva forces is trying to ignite the issue. There is a section which is neutral towards the issue that is trying to defuse the entire movement. However, media inclined towards Hindutva forces has the upper hand.
In the past OBC leaders, Gopinath Munde and Chhagan Bhujbal have worked across party lines to oppose the sharing of OBC quota. What do you think could be the reason behind senior BJP leader and minister Pankaja Munde meeting Chhagan Bhujbal in jail. What compelled her to meet him now, since Bhujbal has been unwell for quite some time?
Prakash Ambedkar: The meetings organised by the OBCs held in the background of Maratha rallies had been held before Pankaja met Bhujbal. Now, the OBCs rallies would be as spontaneous held as those organised by the Marathas.
There is a section of society which feels that the genuine demands, especially economic ones will remain neglected in spite of the rallies as they might get entangled in caste and identity issues. Your view?
Prakash Ambedkar: We have to wait and watch the Mumbai rally, whether it is going to be organised or would be spontaneous. If the Mumbai rally is well organised a new political leadership may emerge.
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