UP: 5 Dalit families convert to Buddhism, cite prevailing untouchability practices

The incident took place in Singhawali Ahir village of Baghpat District where in a bid to escape the prevailing untouchability practices and dominance laid down by the upper class people, five families have accepted Buddhism as their religion.

New Delhi: Fresh instances of religious conversion have surfaced again to the fore in Western Uttar Pradesh. Five different Dalit families have converted to Buddhism to escape the alleged atrocities inflicted on them by the upper caste people. The incident took place in Singhawali Ahir village of Baghpat District where in a bid to escape the prevailing untouchability practices and dominance laid down by the upper class Hindus, five families have accepted Buddhism as their religion. The incident comes just days after the Meerut incident, where on similar lines sixteen people were made to convert from one religion to another, triggering a huge row. In the latest incident, the rituals of conversion were carried out in a ‘pandal’ (tent) set up for the purpose. A grand stage and setting was done for the same where a Buddhist Monk carried out the initiation process. The convertees involved women, children and old people as well. While some people who converted themselves criticised the idol-worshipping and temple based system of the Hindu religion. The others accused the upper class of discrimination and untouchability and cited it the prime reason behind the move. The convertees were Munnalal, Chandrasingh, Jayaram, Sonu, Monu, Pradeep and Ajay. The ceremony was carried out by Buddhist guru, Maharaj Priyantis Bhante. While the people are shocked, the police are in denial of the incident and said that they will investigate further on the incident.