'Mevani should not take support of Maoism people'

The minister also adviced Mevani, who is championing himself as the new age Dalit leader, to stop making "provocative speeches" and instead work for bringing people together.

"Jignesh Mevani is a youth from our Dalit community.

He has become an MLA. That is good. But, if he is a true Amedkarite, he should not take the support of people of Maoism, Naxalism, and Marxism. I feel Dalit protection would not happen by giving provocative speeches. Mevani is doing the work of putting Dalits in danger," the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment told reporters here in reply to a query.

Athawale said he had already given a statement that the recent violence in Koregaon Bhima in Maharashtra had nothing to do with Mevani's speech when an allegation was levelled against the latter. "It would not help if Mevani gives provocative speeches. He should talk about bringing the society together.

He should not speak nonsense. He should speak sense," he said.

One person was killed in the caste violence between two groups near Koregaon Bhima village in Pune district on January 1 during the bicentennial event to commemorate the victory of the British forces, comprising Dalits, on the army of Peshwa Bajirao II.

Dalits view the battle as the defeat of "casteism" as Peshwas, who represented 'Chhatrapti' (Maratha king), were Brahmins.