Athawale was addressing a media conference here today.
"The NDA government has launched several welfare schemes for all communities particularly Dalits in the country. Hence the Dalits are supporting the BJP government at the Centre," he said.
"The BJP government is treating all communities in an equal manner and it is not against minority communities in the country," said the minister.
He said his ministry was providing scholarships for students of the the backward communities in the country.
Athawale urged Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to encourage more such intercaste marriages in the state.
On the issue of separate states, he said his party was supporting the demand for separate Vidarbha in Maharashtra and Purvanchal in Uttar Pradesh.
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