Athawale for financial aid to promote inter-caste marriages

Republican Party of India (RPI) leader Ramdas Athawale has sought financial assistance for those who marry outside their caste from the Maharashtra government.
"The government should provide financial aid of Rs 4-5 lakh for inter-caste marriages. This will help to end the caste-related disputes. I am myself married to a girl belonging to Brahmin community," the Dalit leader told reporters here yesterday.
Meanwhile, Athawale also expressed concern over the India-Pakistan relations, against the backdrop of the attack on Pathankot air base.
"Pakistan has engaged in direct and indirect war with India on several occasions, which includes attack on Parliament, the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, and attack on air base in Pathankot recently.

"On one side, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his counterpart Nawaz Sharif in Pakistan. Modi also invited Sharif for his swearing-in. Time and again, he wants friendship with Pakistan, but despite this they have engaged in direct or indirect war," he added.