Haryana: 300 Dalits facing social boycott convert to Buddhism in Hisar

Photo for representational purpose only. PTI

HISAR: Nearly 300 Dalits who allegedly faced a social boycott by people from other castes for over a year in village Bhatla in Haryana's Hisar district embraced Buddhism at a function organised in the village's Guru Ravidas temple. Rajat Kalsan, convenor of National Alliance of Dalit for Human Rights was the chief guest at the event while social activist Dinesh Khaper presided over the function. Buddhists from Yamunanagar and Ballabhgarh were present on the occasion to perform the rituals and complete the documentation of the conversion. Speaking on the occasion, Kalson alleged Dalits were being discriminated against at a large scale under the present government. He alleged the state government had failed to take appropriate steps to end the alleged discrimination faced by Dalits in Bhatla. Balwan Singh, president of Bhatla Dalit Sangharsh Samiti, said the Dalit community was facing a social boycott since July last year and police officials and members of the village's 'bhaichara samiti' (peace committee) did not help in resolving the issue. Recently, as many as 120 Dalits from Haryana's Jind district converted to Buddhism over non-fulfilment of their demands.