Raj misinterpreting Dr Ambedkar's words: Athavale

Mumbai, May 12 (UNI) Republican Party of India president Ramdas Athavale today accused Maharashtra Navnirman Sena president Raj Thackeray of misinterpreting Dr B R Ambedkar's statements for political gains.

Dr Ambedkar had never advocated division of states on the basis of language, caste or creed Mr Athavale added.

Mr Thackeray, in his recent rally at Shivaji Park here, had read out several paragraphs from Dr Ambedkar's book ''Thoughts on linguistic state'' to indicate that Dr Ambedkar had warned about a Hindi heartland dominance.

Mr Athavale's remarks come in the wake of the continued tirade launched by Mr Thackeray against North Indians and superstar Amitabh Bachchan. Mr Thackeray, incidentally, had once again raked up these issues at a function near here.

Mr Athavale urged both Mr Thackeray and city Samajwadi Party president Abu Asim Azmi to refrain from making utterances that could foment hatred among various sections.

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