Thousands of Dalits embrace Buddhism in Karnataka

Thousands of Dalits from different parts of Karnataka embraced Buddhism at an impressive function in Gulbarga on Saturday to mark the fiftieth anniversary of Dalit leader B R Ambedkar’s conversion to Buddhism.

Bante Bodhi Dhamma, a senior Buddhist monk from Japan, administered the oath of Buddhism to an estimated 5,000 people, who had gathered at the MSK Mill Grounds in Gulbarga, attired in new white robes. The new converts pledged to give up Hinduism and embrace Buddhism during the change of faith ceremony.

The converts swore that they would not believe in Hindu Gods and also not follow the Hindu belief that Buddha was the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Apart from swearing that they would stop worshipping Hindu Gods, the converts also took an oath not to lie, steal, smoke or drink alcohol.

The change of faith ceremony took place under a huge pandal erected at the venue in Gulbarga. A large number of Dalits from various parts of Karnataka including farmers, professors, teachers, government servants and politicians embraced Buddhism on the occasion. A large number of women were also among the Dalits, who converted to Buddhism on the occasion.

Prominent among those who embraced Buddhism were the National Vice President of Republican Party of India Shivaram Mogha and senior Dalit leaders Vittal Dodmani and A B Hosmani.

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President M Mallikarjun Kharge, who presided over the changing of faith ceremony, told reporters that he too worshipped Buddha, but did not plan to embrace Buddhism presently. “In future anything might happen”, he remarked when asked whether he too would embrace Buddhism.

Buddhism stood for equality and social justice. “That is the reason why it is becoming popular nowadays”, he said.

Former Federal Minister V Srinivas Prasad, who was the chief guest on the occasion, said Dr Ambedkar was a great spiritual leader rather than a political leader. “It is due to his vision that many Dalits are enjoying high posts nowadays”, he said.