Prakash Ambedkar slams OBC leaders for opposing Mandal Commission recommendations

Prakash Ambedkar, grandson of B R Ambedkar, slams OBC leaders like Chhagan Bhujbal for opposing the Mandal Commission recommendations and siding with Hindutva politics.

Prakash Ambedkar, the leader of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), launched a scathing attack on OBC leaders like Chhagan Bhujbal on Saturday, accusing them of siding with the "kamandal" (Hindutva politics) during the Mandal Commission movement and opposing its recommendations.

Ambedkar warns Manoj Jarange to be cautious with his statements

Ambedkar also cautioned Manoj Jarange, the leader of the Maratha community's protests for reservation under the Other Backward Class (OBC) grouping, to be cautious with his statements. He referred to a controversial remark made by Congress leader Sonia Gandhi during the campaign for Gujarat assembly elections in 2007 and advised Jarange not to listen to any advisers.

Ambedkar criticizes owners of educational institutes

Ambedkar further blamed the owners of educational institutes, including those from the OBC and Maratha communities, for not helping students. He said that these owners were more interested in protecting their own institutes rather than supporting the students.

Nana Patole alleges BJP's attempt to change the Constitution

Speaking at the same rally, Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole alleged that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wants to change the Constitution and should be taught a lesson. He said that the Congress would support people who want to change the Constitution and accused the BJP government of following a "divide-and-rule" policy similar to the British Raj.

Patole criticizes Modi government's economic policies

Patole also criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's economic policies, saying that they were the opposite of Dr. Ambedkar's policies, which focused on collecting money from the rich through taxes and utilizing it for the poor. He claimed that this was the reason why he had resigned as a BJP MP and joined the Congress.

Ambedkar's and Patole's statements come amid the ongoing protests by the Maratha community for reservation and the larger debate over the implementation of the Mandal Commission recommendations, which sought to provide reservations for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in government jobs and education.