Chhota Rajan arrest: Athawale plays Dalit card

Asserting that underworld don Chhota Rajan's crimes were not as severe as Dawood Ibrahim's, Republican Party of India (A) chief Ramdas Athawale on Thursday asked if the former is being targeted because of his Dalit status.

Athawale said that he was not against Rajan's arrest, but asked why he has been arrested while so many other criminals who have fled the nation are at large.

"Dawood did crimes against India and was responsible for killing so many people. Chhota Rajan has also done wrong, we are not supporting him but he (Rajan) did not commit crimes against the nation as Dawood did. I am asking, Dawood hasn't been caught but Chhota Rajan has been caught, is it because he is a Dalit," he told ANI.

"There are many people who have committed crimes and fled the country, and the government hasn't been able to nab them, now Chhota Rajan is being made a victim, has he been arrested because he is a Dalit, this is what I want to ask," he added.

Rajan, one of India's most wanted criminals and a leading figure in the Mumbai underworld, was arrested at Bali, Indonesia, on October 24.

Rajan is wanted for at least 68 cases in Mumbai alone, including over 20 murder cases and other serious offences under MCOCA, POTA and the Arms Act.