Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, while addressing the Convocation Ceremony of the Central India Group of Institutions in Nagpur on Saturday, strongly emphasized the need to move beyond caste-based politics, asserting that an individual’s worth should be determined by their qualities rather than caste, religion, language, or gender.
“A person is not known by their caste, sect, religion, language, or sex, but only by their qualities. That is why we will not discriminate against anyone based on these factors,” Gadkari stated, highlighting the importance of equality and fairness.
Despite being in a political arena where caste-based identity often influences voter preferences, Gadkari made it clear that he refuses to engage in such practices—even at the cost of losing votes. “I am in politics, and here all of this goes on, but I refuse this, even if it affects my electoral prospects,” he remarked.
Recalling instances where people approached him citing their caste, Gadkari firmly stood by his principles. He recounted telling a gathering of 50,000 people, “Jo karega jaat ki baat, uske kass ke maarunga laat” (Whoever talks about caste, I will strongly oppose them).
He acknowledged that his blunt stance might not be politically advantageous, saying, “My friends told me that I may have harmed my own interests by saying this. But I am not concerned about it; one does not lose his life if he loses elections. I will stick to my principles.”
Gadkari’s remarks underline his long-standing position against caste-based politics, reinforcing his belief in merit and individual capabilities over identity-based divisions.
