Truth about these temple visits

Dalits praying to Hindu deities are of great civilisational value

For many years now, I have witnessed the Dhammachakra Pravartan Din celebrations in Nagpur to commemorate B.R. Ambedkar8217;s conversion to Buddhism 50 years ago. I have also noted that the Dalits and the converts attending the celebration at the historic Deekshabhoomi, visit various temples and Durga pandals in the city during their stay in the city. I have always felt, despite having quit Hinduism out of a sense of outrage engendered by the atrocities suffered by their forefathers, the umbilical cord these people have with Hindu gods and goddesses has not been cut. This despite Babasaheb Ambedkar having asked them to quit praying to Hindu deities.

So why do these men and women flout the directive of the man they regard as their great emancipator? The question leads us to a very reassuring fact about Hindus, present and former. They are not averse to praying before any God, so long as they know God is one. I have myself been to shrines of all the major religions. I feel deeply touched by Jesus Christ8217;s godly demeanour and teachings which have led to the great tradition of social work. I also feel overwhelmed by the unique tradition of Hindus praying together with Muslims at the dargahs of Muslim saints.

When Dalits ignore the advice to skip Hindu deities, they

come across to me as enlightened human beings. Why do they do this? Probably because they know that gods can8217;t be blamed for the wrong done in their names by the wicked. They probably know that if they have suffered at the hands of caste Hindus, it makes little or no sense to curse Hindu gods; that no God can teach people to inflict injuries on their fellow human beings.

That perhaps is why, despite their deep veneration for Ambedkar and the Buddha, these Dalits see nothing wrong with praying at Hindu temples. Perhaps they also realise that cursing 8220;Hindu8221; gods isn8217;t the way to ensure social equality. Perhaps they know that the singular goal of all religions, including Hinduism, is to make this world a better place.