Union Minister Ramdas Athawale said that the Dalit community and the Republican Party of India (RPI) are set to launch a nationwide protest called ‘Jute Maro Andolan’ in response to recent remarks by Rahul Gandhi. During a student interaction at Georgetown University in the United States, Gandhi suggested that the Congress party might consider removing reservations when India becomes a more equitable society, a condition he believes has not yet been met.

Athawale, who also leads the RPI, criticized Gandhi's comments, declaring that the reservations for Dalits, OBCs, and Adivasis are non-negotiable. He warned that any move to remove these rights would face strong opposition. Athawale stressed that the community would defend their reservation entitlements vigorously.

"The Dalit community and Republican Party of India will launch a nationwide ‘Jute Maro Andolan’ against Rahul Gandhi for his remarks on reservation," Athawale said, adding that Gandhi deserves to face strong criticism.

Athawale went on to say "Rahul Gandhi is a useless man. Whenever he travels abroad, he speaks against India." He advised Gandhi to avoid making controversial statements.

He also questioned the notion of a lack of democracy in India, pointing out that Gandhi's election as the leader of the opposition with 99 seats contradicts such claims. "The people have given us a mandate, and the NDA government is advancing with everyone," he added.

In a post on X, Athawale stated, "By talking about ending reservations, @RahulGandhi has once again exposed the anti-Dalit stance of Congress @INCIndia. The Dalits, tribals, and backward classes of the country will respond to Gandhi's statement on ending reservations. The reservations established by Babasaheb Ambedkar through the Constitution will remain intact."

Athawale was in Dharamshala for a seminar organized by the World Cooperatives Economic Forum, where discussions included connecting agriculture with cooperatives and global conflicts involving Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Hamas, and Pakistan's involvement in terrorism.

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