New Delhi: Sulabh International founder
Bindeshwar Pathak on Monday urged Kalawati, a farmer from
Yavatmal, who gained fame after Rahul Gandhi referred to her
plight during a Parliamentary debate last year, to "refrain
from joining politics" and render social service.
"I suggest you should refrain from politics and
concentrate on joining social work. You should not enter
politics and if you wish to make people aware of the problems
of Vidarbha region, it can be done rendering social service,"
Pathak told reporters here.
Pathak`s comments come after Kalwati announced that
she would contest the forthcoming Maharashtra Asssembly
elections on a local party`s ticket.
After Rahul Gandhi`s speech, the Sulabh International
founder had committed to deposit Rs 30 lakh in Kalawati`s
bank account.
Pathak said Kalawati`s decision to join a political
party will have "socially undesirable fallout" of people
losing faith in acts of benevolence for the needy.
He said it was wrong on her part to say that Rahul
Gandhi had not helped her as "it was for Rahul Gandhi`s
reference about Kalawati in his speech that people like me
came forward to help her."
Pathak added that he had already given Rs six lakh to
Kalawati and would fulfill his commitment of depositing Rs 30
lakh in her account whether she heeds to his advise or not.
Bureau Report
