Open about caste, never exploited it in politics, says NCP chief Sharad Pawar

File Photo/PTI

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar asserted on Tuesday that he does not intend to conceal his caste and has never leveraged it for political gain. His statement follows the circulation of a purported certificate on social media, indicating his affiliation with the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, a claim later dismissed as fake by NCP MP Supriya Sule, Pawar's daughter.

Belonging to the dominant Maratha community, which constitutes over 30 per cent of Maharashtra's population, Pawar expressed his respect for the OBC community but emphasized that he has always been transparent about his birth caste. He clarified that while the world knows his caste, he has refrained from conducting politics based on it and will continue to do so. Despite this, he affirmed his commitment to addressing the concerns of the community, news agency PTI reported.

Speaking about the demand for reservation for the Maratha community, Pawar acknowledged the intense sentiment among the younger generation but highlighted that the authority to grant reservations lies with the state and central governments. The Maratha community has been advocating for reservations in education and government jobs, leading to protests and demonstrations in the state.

Meanwhile, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo conveyed heartfelt regards to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on the occasion of the former Prime Minister's birth anniversary. Pawar acknowledged Nehru's pivotal role in steering the nation toward progress through the adoption of modern ideas, emphasizing his significant contributions to the development of the country, particularly in the fields of science and education.

Pawar highlighted Nehru's enduring legacy as the first Prime Minister of India, commending his commitment to democratic values and the preservation of national unity. Nehru's visionary leadership, according to Pawar, laid the foundation for the country's growth and progress.

Also read: Remembering Jawaharlal Nehru: The architect of modern India

In a post on social networking site X, Pawar said: "Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru did the work of giving a new dimension of progress to the country by embracing modern ideas. It boosted the development of the country by promoting science and education sector. Greetings to Bharat Ratna Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of the country who prioritized democratic values ​​and preserved the national unity of the country!"