Athawale demands caste-based census in 2021

Union Minister and Republican Party of India president Ramdas Athawale placed a demand that the 2021 census should be on caste basis. The Minister said the move would not increase casteism contrary to critics.

New Delhi: Union Minister for Social Justice and Republican Party of India (RPI) chief Ramdas Athawale on Saturday advocated for caste-wise census in 2021.

"On behalf of my party (RPI), I demand for a caste-wise census in 2021. If it happens, all the castes will get to know how much representation they have in the society and I don't support the people who say that caste-wise census would increase casteism," Athawale said.

Speaking during a press conference in New Delhi, the RPI chief further added that his party is planning an expansion and will add one crore new members in the country.

The Union Minister also spoke on the ongoing farmers' agitation and said that the three farm laws were in the interest of farmers.

"India is a democratic country. Everyone has the right to protest. But, they should now go back to their homes as the Supreme Court has formed the committee. They should obey the apex court orders," he said.

Read:NIA summons farmer leader Baldev Sirsa, activists in SFJ case

"If the government takes back these farm laws then people will demand the Centre to roll back other acts too, which is not good for the dignity of the Parliament of India," he added.

During the press conference, the Union Minister also raised the issue of Bollywood actor Payal Ghosh who has levelled sexual harassment allegations against filmmaker Anurag Kashyap.

"It has been more than four months and no action has been taken against Anurag Kashyap by the Mumbai police in spite of providing evidence. Now, I'll write a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah for his intervention in the matter," Athawale said.

In September last year, Payal had alleged on social media that filmmaker Anurag Kashyap had sexually harassed her in 2013.