Nearly 400 Hindus from across the state converted to Buddhism at an event organised by Gujarat Buddhist Academy on the occasion of Dussehra in Ahmedabad. This is the 14th such event being organised annually on Dussehra.
The day-long ceremony headed by Bhadant Pragyasheel Mahathero from Amravati Maharashtra saw individuals and families from Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Vadodara, Mehsana, Surendranagar and Botad adopt Buddhism.
Vadodara-based Pravinbhai Parmar, 38, who was among those who converted, cited inequality in the Hindu religion for his decision. “There is equality, love and compassion in Buddhism. No discrimination, unlike the Hindu religion where there is discrimination everywhere and increasing atrocities on Dalits day by day. What is the point of being a Hindu when there is nothing good for us,” he said.
Most of those who converted were from the Dalit community.