BJP refuses to comment on Athawale’s Buddhism remark

New Delhi, July 30 (IANS) The BJP on Saturday refused to comment on Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale's "accept Buddhism" remark.

"We do not comment on statements of our allies," Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson G.V.L. Narsimha Rao told IANS.

Athawale heads the Republican Party of India-Athawale, an ally of the BJP in Maharashtra and the central level.

In an interview to The Indian Express, the newly inducted Minister of State said "that protection of cows should not be at the expense of human lives." He also said that Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati and the Dalits should embrace Buddhism.