NEW DELHI, 8 June 2003 — Thousands of Dalits (untouchables) and low caste Hindus plan to convert to Buddhism on June 15. The day will also put to test the state Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s law regarding conversions. Under a new law banning forced conversions, those willing to convert are required to seek permission from the district administrator.
Vishwa Baudh Sangh (VBS), which is organizing the proposed mass conversion ceremony, claims that at least 100,000 people will willingly convert to Buddhism on June 15. “More than 55,000 people from Surat, Baroda, Broach, Anand, Rajkot, Jamnagar and Junagadh have already filled in forms stating that they are not being forced to convert. By June 14, the total number will exceed 100,000,” VBS General Secretary Bhante Sanghapriya said.
Shocked by the move, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad tried to play it down. With increasing number of Dalits turning to Buddhism, the state government is still undecided on how to react. When state Home Minister Amit Shah was asked whether the mass conversion will be allowed to take place, he said, “I do not want to reply to such hypothetical questions.”
The VBS appears determined to go ahead with its plan. “We will go ahead come what may. If permission is not granted, we will hold the program in a private place,” Sanghapriya said. Hailing from Uttar Pradesh, Sanghapriya has been working in Gujarat among the Dalits for the past year and a half. “The Hindus used us during Godhra and then abandoned us. Did we not go with them to build the Ram temple? Why do they then not allow us to drink from the same well?” Sanghapriya said.
Citing an example of the discrimination the Dalits face in Gujarat, Sanghapriya said that even Dr. B.R. Maeda — one of the founding fathers of the Indian constitution — could not get a room on rent in Baroda.
Addressing a public rally recently in Uttar Pradesh, state Chief Minister Mayawati said: “If the high caste Hindus do not change their attitude toward us, we will embrace Buddhism.”
