On the occasion of Ashok Vijayadashami, at least 120 Dalits from various parts of Gujarat embraced Buddhism at two events held in Ahmedabad on Thursday. While a function held at Buddha Vihar in Kankaria area saw 76 conversions, 44 people, including four entire families, embraced Buddhism at a diksha ceremony held in Danilimda area of Ahmedabad. The function in Kankaria was organised by Gujarat Buddhist Academy (GBA) in association with two other organisations from Ahmedabad. General Secretary of GBA Ramesh Banker said that the function took place peacefully, “complying with all the legal rules for conversion”. At this event, 76 Dalits, from Gandhinagar, Junagadh, Kheda, Mehsana and Ahmedabad, were given diksha by Bhante Pragna Ratna Thero from Porbandar. Those who converted took the 22 vows, which were taken by Dr B R Ambedkar while renouncing Hinduism in 1956. Chandrika Jadav (48), a social worker from Kadi in Mehsana district, is among those who converted to Buddhism at the function. She was joined by her husband Jitendra and brother-in-law Dharmesh. Speaking with The Indian Express, she said, “.we (Dalits) are denied entry in temples (at many places) and do not get recognition. So, what is the purpose.? Lord Buddha has given the right of equality to everyone. We have become enlightened that our original place is in Buddhism, and so we are returning to that place.” Pravin Kumar Bagda (40) came from Junagadh to convert along with his family: his wife Sonal, 13-year-old son and three-year-old daughter. Bagda, who works as a senior research assistant at an agriculture university, said, “I have studied Buddhism in detail and then decided to take diksha.” He went on, “I have seen discrimination in offices so many times. People pretend to be good just superficially, but are full of resentment and hatred for us (Dalits) from within. Those sitting in senior positions do not allow us to go up. They make every effort to ensure that we do not reach higher positions.” Jashumati Maheta (62), from Shahibaug area of Ahmedabad city, said that she decided to convert to Buddhism owing to discrimination that her husband faced in his job at a bank. “My husband has already embraced Buddhism after facing a lot of discrimination and difficulties in his job. And so, I, too, decided to convert. Another reason that drove my decision was that Buddhism places a lot of importance on building good character. If a man nurtures good character, it definitely brings changes in him, especially towards women. Buddhism gives a lot of importance to women, their independence and progress,” Maheta said. Harshida Maurya (40) from Meghaninagar said she converted to Buddhism for “spiritual development, equality and brotherhood”. “(We) … do not get entry in temples, are beaten up for sitting on a horse or keeping a moustache or for carrying out marriage procession. Dalits do not get houses in certain areas. So, what is the point.?” she said. The ceremony in the Danilimda area saw 44 people from five districts — Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Porbandar, Vadodara and Banaskantha —convert to Buddhism. This event, the 'Buddh Dhamma Diksha Samaroh 2025', organised by the Triratna Mangal Bodhi Sangh at Jyotaram Patel Community hall, was presided over by Bhante Pathik Shreshti of the Amar Baudhh Vihar in Surendranagar. Organiser Prashant Mehta told The Indian Express that of the 44 initiates, 18 were lone individuals, five were couples, and 16, including seven children, were members of four families. Speaking on the law and processes governing change of religion, Mehta said, “According to the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act 2003.those wishing to convert to another religion must inform the government 30 days in advance. So, these initiates had to inform their respective district Collectorates about their intention to accept another religion after which police verification is carried out to check if those seeking conversion are doing so of their own accord and not under threats, fear or favour.” Mehta further said, “After accepting the new faith, these people must once again inform the Collector within 10 days.” The day of Dussehra is marked as Ashok Vijayadashami among Buddhists to commemorate Emperor Ashoka embracing the faith after the Kalinga war in 261 BCE.
