On the way to receive deeksha in Delhi
Thousands of people have been attending mass ceremonies in India at which hundreds of low-caste Hindus (Dalits) converted to Buddhism and Christianity.
By converting, Dalits – once known as Untouchables – can escape the prejudice and discrimination they normally face.
The ceremonies mark the 50th anniversary of the adoption of Buddhism by the scholar Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar.
He was the first prominent Dalit to urge low-caste Indians to embrace Buddhism.
As the chief architect of India’s constitution, he wrote anti-discrimination provisions and quota systems into the country’s law.
But four-fifths of India’s Dalits live in often isolated rural areas, and traditional prejudice has persisted in spite of official laws.
Similar mass conversions are taking place this month in many other parts of India.
Several states governed by the Hindu nationalist party, the BJP, have introduced laws to make such conversions more difficult.
Three cheers for the honor, dignity and democracy of state religion.
Caste is the great blight on much of Asia. Few westerners know how pervasive it is. Even in much-admired Japan!
Low-caste Hindus adopt new faith
Abandoning the old pusher for a new one…
As a “man of the cloth” myself (well, sort of), I’d be very reluctant to baptize these guys since it seems more like a protest than a true act of faith.
However, I’d certainly welcome them as equal before God, as fellow humans and as rightful citizens, which is what they obviously need.
This happens in America too where it is evident everywhere. The outside law can protect civil liberties and unjust treatment based on race, color, creed and religion but the minds of individuals is where all reality is at. [edited for length, OT]
People are fucked up. When they want to believe something, they will use all reasoning to come to the conclusion that they want.
poiticians are screwing up the country.
Not to forget the coerced conversions ecpecially into christianity by offering economic and financial incentives by western missionaries.
0113 it appears you don’t know the difference between racism and caste.
doc: Yeah nobody’s a Hindu for the money! (giggle)
Oh, my, 0113… you’re the perpetual victim, aren’t you?
This has been going on for decades, and just now the BBC is reporting on it?
#8, so, should we continue to ignore something simply because it has been going on for a while? Geeze, I’m surprised you didn’t suggest it was Clinton’s fault then.
Mr. Fusion, you may as well presume — as do most — that AB CD not only doesn’t click and read the link, he doesn’t read anything.
The growth of “conversions” in opposition to caste bigotry is dynamic enough to scare the hell out of nationalist parties like the BJP. The alpha-dolt doesn’t notice a difference.
#9 Geeze, I’m surprised you didn’t suggest it was Clinton’s fault then.
Sometimes it takes Rove up to 36 hours to figure out how to blame Clinton.
“Six Degrees of Blame Clinton” is the new “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon”?
It goes like:
A) Think of a problem. Any problem. (Even a clear Bush screwup that was a reversal of Clinton policy.)
B) What are the fewest steps you can trace it back to Bill Clinton.
OK, Here goes:
1) Hindu Dalits are oppressed by Indian culture.
2) Clinton “coddled” India when he was president
3) He refused to call for sanctions against India to stop oppression of the Dalits.
4) Therefore Clinton caused the oppression of the Dalits!
There, I did it in four. See how easy it is! It’s fun.
#10, Dear god
I like to push AB CD because then, every once in a while, sometimes, periodically, he has been known to come up with something intelligent. I figure if this keeps up, he just might, possibly, I’m holding out hope, that he might come up with something brilliant. But he is an OK guy and I do like him.
#11, Greg
Damn that Clinton !!!
it should have read “adopt new religion” … its not about what they believe, its about what they do. buddhism and christianity teach moderation and equality, Love… no wonder the untouchables would favor such a lifestyle/religion.
It’s got nothing to do with what they favour or what the religions teach them. The Indian government is about to introduce new legislation to make it much harder to “convert” your religion, so people are doing it now while it’s still easy. They’re thinking of their families wellbeing, it has nothing to do with what they believe in.
Still, gives you a sense of how futile religion really is when you can just “adopt” another one so quickly and easily.
Anti Conversion law is applicable only if somebody forces a person by lure of monetory benefits,physical aggression etc. It is NOT applicable if it is by person choice to adopt a different faith.It is not specifically against any religion.
Christian Missioanries are really affected by this because this would expose their dirty deeds which they do in rural areas where Hindus are poor,illeterate etc. You would never see them in action in cities as they would be exposed immediately.
The mass convers