Pune, June 27

Former Maharashtra Legislative Council member and senior Ambedkarite leader Adv. Jaydev Gaikwad has appealed for unity between the Nav-Buddhist and Matang communities, warning against what he termed "divisive politics" over the issue of Scheduled Caste sub-categorisation.

Addressing a Harmony Conference held at Balasaheb Thackeray Kala Dalan in Pune, Gaikwad expressed concern over the growing hostility and abusive exchanges between members of the two communities. He urged the Matang community to introspect on the reasons behind its educational and social backwardness instead of blaming the Nav-Buddhist community for cornering reservation benefits.

Quoting Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's message of "Educate, Organise and Agitate," Gaikwad said education was never confined to any one community and that every section had an equal opportunity to pursue it. He argued that the progress made by the Nav-Buddhist community was the result of prioritising education and social empowerment rather than any preferential access to reservation.

Gaikwad alleged that ideological forces associated with the BJP and the RSS were attempting to create divisions among historically oppressed communities for political gains. He urged Ambedkarite activists to engage with the Matang community through dialogue rather than confrontation and work towards strengthening social unity.

The conference was organised amid the ongoing debate over the sub-categorisation of reservations within the Scheduled Castes. Participants stressed the need for coordination and mutual understanding between the Nav-Buddhist and Matang communities to prevent social polarisation.

Several resolutions were adopted during the conference, including making the Badar Committee report public, ensuring representation of all Scheduled Caste communities in the sub-categorisation committee, conducting a caste census before implementing any classification, and organising similar harmony conferences across Maharashtra. The gathering also proposed a statewide march to promote unity between the two communities.

The event was attended by senior Ambedkarite leaders Vasantrao Salve, Rohidas Gaikwad, Dhammasangini Ramagorakh, Shailendra Chavan, Mahadev Khude, Sujit Yadav, Sudip Gaikwad, Anil Hatagale, and several social activists and representatives from Bahujan organisations. The conference concluded with a call to uphold the egalitarian ideals of Jyotirao Phule, Shahu Maharaj, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, and Annabhau Sathe, while opposing attempts to spread hatred among marginalised communities.

Before the Lok Sabha elections, the round of election promises by political parties has started. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi underlined his party's resolve to conduct the caste census. In a post on Twitter, the former Congress president asked whether we have ever wondered who is poor. How many are there and in what condition? Isn't it necessary to count all this?

Reality revealed in Bihar's caste survey
Rahul Gandhi said that the caste survey in Bihar revealed that 88 percent of the poor population comes from Dalit, tribal, backward and minority communities. He said that the figures of Bihar are a small glimpse of the real picture of the country, we do not even have an idea in what condition the poor population of the country is living.

We will do X-ray of the country- Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi said that therefore we are going to take two historic steps in the coming times. Will understand caste census and economic situation. Through which we will remove the reservation limit of 50 percent. Rahul Gandhi said, this step will X-ray the country and give right reservation, rights and share to everyone.

Will help in making policies for the poor- Rahul Gandhi
Referring to the caste census and the survey to understand the economic condition, PM Modi said that these two steps will not only help in making right policies and schemes for the poor but will also help in taking them out of the struggle for education, earning, medicine and into the mainstream of development. It will also help in connecting. He said that therefore wake up and raise your voice, caste census is your right. It will take you out of the darkness of difficulties and lead you towards light.

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