COIMBATORE: Union Minster of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramadas Athawale on Saturday said police protection would be provided for those entering into inter-caste marriage.

Addressing a conference – ‘Thoughts of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Its Relevance to Contemporary Society – organised at Avanashilingam University for Women, Athawale asked the students to go for inter-caste marriage to create an equal society.

When reporters asked about his suggestion and also the related issue of honour killings, Athawale said police and the Government can ensure protection such couples.

When pointed out that many organisations in Tamil Nadu were demanding a stringent legislation against the honour killings and protect the couple, he said that there were nearly 50,000 inter-caste marriages and a very less incidents of honour killing. “The Government will ensure protection to those entering into inter-caste marriages,” he said.

To another question on increasing attacks on Dalits and downtrodden, the recent one being in Kerala, Athawale said there should be a dialogue between all sections of society to end such heinous crime.

On BJP’s victory in North East, particularly Tripura, he said that this was a forerunner to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and NDA, under Prime Minister, Narendra Modi will continue to rule.

To yet another question whether the dream of Congress-mukth Bharath would be a reality, Athawale said that as Modi was becoming stronger and stronger, the 70-year-old Congress will be marginalised, if not finished.

Appealing to AIADMK to join the NDA, Athawale also wanted the sidelined leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran to compromise with AIADMK and make the party stronger.

He said that he had already suggested to both Hindu and Muslim communities to sit together and find an amicable solution to the vexed Babri Masjid dispute.