ADILABAD: Union minister of state for social justice and empowerment Ramdas Athawale on Sunday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the sympathy shown by him towards Buddhists and followers of B.R. Ambedkar by protecting places of historical importance associated with Ambedkar, both in the country and abroad, and converting them into memorials. Mr Athawale went on to describe Mr Modi as an active Prime Minister.
Speaking at the 61st Dharma Chakra Parivarthan Divas celebration in Adilabad, Mr Athawale said that Mr Modi would not dare change the Indian Constitution and make decisions against reservations because he knew that if he did so, he would not come to power in the next elections.
He added that Mr Modi had installed a large statue of Buddha at his official residence in Gandhinagar when he was the Chief Minister.
Mr Athawale said that Mr Modi had included him in the Central Cabinet after seeing his work against the Congress. He added that the Congress party had cheated him by denying him a berth in the Cabinet during its tenure.
Mr Athawale said that B.R. Ambedkar was not against Hinduism, he had wanted to strengthen it, but he and the Dalits had been forced to embrace Buddhism because Hindu practices did not offer them their due respect.
Minister for forest and environment Jogu Ramanna spoke on the occasion and said that he was closely associated with the Buddhist community of old Adilabad district and that he had extended his support to Dalits and Buddhists.
Adilabad MP Godam Nagesh and leaders Shailendra, Prajna Kumar and the leaders of Gaikwad Buddha Maha Sabha were also present.
