Many Dalits renounce Hinduism, convert to Buddhism in Puttur

Mangaluru, Mar 16: As many as 11 belonging to lower caste of Hinduism bid adieu to their religion and converted into Buddhism in a remote village in Puttur taluk of Dakshina Kannada yesterday.

The converted Dalits have been identified as Puttanna, Susheela, Nayan Kumar, Namitha, Sathish Kumar, Prema, Harsha, Susheela, Vishwanath, Manoj Kumar and Ganesh.

The conversion took place during the house warming ceremony of a Dalit man at Alankaru village near Kadaba in Puttur. Dalit Sangharsha Samiti Puttur taluk organizing convener Ananda Mithabail and Dakshina Kannada district Bouddha Mahasabha leader Sugathapala Bhantheji supervised the event.

Bhantheji performed Buddha Puja and offered dharmopadesha to 11 Dalits as per Buddhist scriptures.

All the converted men and women took an oath that they will try to inculcate the values taught by Dr B R Ambedkar and fulfil the dreams of Prof B Krishnappa.

After embracing new faith, Nayan Kumar decided to accept ‘Brahmacharya’. He will propagate Buddhism in the region.

Ananda Mithabail told reporters that those Dalits who were exploited by Hindus were converted to Buddhism. He said that conversions will not deprive them of their rights and benefits that they are receiving under the Dalit category.

“This is not the first instance where Dalits are being converted to Buddhism in Dakshina Kannada district. Many Dalit leaders and their family members have already embraced Buddhism in the district. I embraced Buddhism seven years ago and received a confirmation letter recently,” he said.