Gujarat conversion under scanner

Authorities on Wednesday said the organisers of a mass Deeksha Angikar re-conversion to Buddhism ceremony in Saijpur Bogha last Sunday had not secured official approval from the District Collectors concerned and could be prosecuted if someone lodged a complaint. The organisers had claimed that 11,000 people from Rajput and Koli communities apart from some Christians converted to Buddhism at the function.

The Ahmedabad Collectorate acknowledged the receipt of 1,008 applications,while the rest hail from other districts,mainly Vadodara and Anand. The Collector8217;s office said the applications were going to be scrutinised and police verification of the applicants was yet to take place. The officials said any conversion prior to obtaining the permission was violative of the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act,2003 and the rules framed under it in 2008.

Buddh Dhamma Deeksha Angikar Abhiyan Gujarat convener Balkrishna Anand said no permission was actually required for people to revert to their original religion,Buddhism and hence they had done nothing wrong. He claimed up to 4,000 people from Ahmedabad district converted to Buddhism on January 24. If it is illegal,then it is up to the Collectors concerned to take whatever action they think necessary, said Anand.