Union minister Ramdas Athawale Sunday said it was wrong to say cases of atrocities against Dalits have increased under the Narendra Modi government.

Noting that caste-related violence was continuing in the country, the Dalit leader from Maharashtra said irrespective of which party is in power, the government should take stringent action against the perpetrators. "I do not agree that (cases of) atrocities against Dalits have increased under the Modi government, but they continue to take place. No party (in power) encourages these acts. However, the government should make efforts to stop this," Athawale told PTI.