Subscribe Feed (RSS)India’s Untouchables turn to Buddhism
October 19th, 2006 by gaurav | Filed under , , , , , .I came across this video through Shivam’s blog and it is highlights the discrimination that Dalits have to go through every day in their lives and going through such a life make them convert themselves to Buddhism and other religions. If converting themselves to some other religion gets their pride back and they are given rights equal to others then this is a viable option, I don’t find anything wrong in this.
Earlier this month, thousands of Hindus from the former Untouchable castes are converting to Buddhism in protest at the continuing discrimination they face. Mass conversion ceremonies are being held throughout the month, from Delhi in the north, to Hyderabad in the south. Organisers are claiming that more than 100,000 people have already converted.
Conversion is a highly charged political issue. Several states have passed laws this year making it harder to convert, and the mass ceremonies will infuriate Hindu nationalist parties that have been campaigning to stop lower caste Hindus changing their religion.
I think every one should be free to choose the relegion which they think will give them happiness, courage and dignity. This is the sole purpose if any of belonging to a relegion. If the buddhists can solve India’s caste problem, then there can be nothing more welcome.