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.