Naxals should embrace Ambedkarvad, says Athawale
Ramdas Athawale
, while speaking in Kolhapur on Tuesday, urged all
naxals
to renounce violence and embrace "Ambedkarvad" — the ideals of Babasaheb Ambedkar.
Athawale, who is also the president of the Republican Party of India (RPI), clarified that the Jan Suraksha Act, passed by the state legislature, is not intended to suppress democratic movements. "Instead its target is violent and undemocratic movements like naxalism. Simply expressing dissent through writing or speaking against the govt would not lead to action under this Act," he said.
"The method of naxals is to backstab.
We were never called naxals when we hit the streets. The way naxals carry out their movement is totally wrong. The govt should not interpret Ambedkarites as naxalites. We are different in ideology and means," he added.
On being asked about the likelihood of Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray coming together for the Mumbai municipal election, Athawale said, "Now, there are 60% non-Marathis in Mumbai, and they are against Raj. Both Thackerays will get votes only from Marathi people. We will easily defeat them in the election."
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