No place for casteism under my watch: Gadkari

Pune: Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, in a lighter vein, said that there was no place for casteism in his area because of his 'warning' that anybody talking about caste would be 'thrashed' by him.

Speaking at a programme organised by 'Punaruththan Samarasta Gurukulam' in Pimpri Chinchwad township here, the senior BJP leader said the society should be brought together on the basis of the economic and social equality, and it should not have any scope for casteism and communalism.

"We do not believe in casteism and there is no place for the notion in our five districts. I have also warned everybody that, if anyone speaks about caste, I would thrash them," said Gadkari, jokingly, who represents Nagpur Lok Sabha seat.

Gadkari further opined that the entire society should be brought together on the basis of economic and social equality, unity and should be free from casteism and communalism.

Gadkari, who is known for speaking his mind, had kicked up controversies over his public statements in the past.

He had said in December last year that leadership should have the tendency to own up defeat and failures.

The remarks had come days after the BJP's loss in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh assembly polls.

Gadkari later clarified that his remarks were taken out of context.

Last month, Gadkari had advised fellow politicians against interfering in 'other fields'.

He had made the remarks at the valedictory function of the annual Marathi literary meet at Yavatmal in Maharashtra, which was embroiled in a controversy after an invitation to noted writer Nayantara Sahgal was withdrawn.