Dalits, Christians to protest anti-conversion laws

New Delhi, Oct 6 (UNI) To protest the anti-conversion laws passed by the Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat Governments, Dalits in Nagpur will convert from Hinduism to Buddhism on October 13 and 14, on the occasion of World Religious Freedom Day.

World Religious Freedom Day, which marks the golden jubilee of embracing Buddhism by thousands of people in Nagpur on October 14, 1956, under the leadership of the late Bhimrao Ambedkar. This year the activists of the All India Confederation of the SC/ST organisations and the All India Christian Council will burn copies of the anti-conversion laws passed by the four states, chairman of the Confederation Udit Raj told reporters here.

Dr Udit Raj said the Buddhists and Jains were agitated by Gujarat Government's anti-conversion law, according to which Buddhists and Jains have been declared a part of Hinduism.

''On one hand, Sangh Parivar is attempting to discriminate against Christians and Muslims by bringing out a draconian law, on the other they are trying to appropriate Buddhism to Hinduism. As protest against anti-conversion laws of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat, Dalits will convert their religion from Hinduism to Buddhism. Important religious and human rights leaders from Islam, Christianity, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism will participate in the event,'' Dr Raj elaborated.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Madhu Chandra, regional secretary of the All India Christian Council alleged that the Christians in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat were being targetted and beaten up.

''The Christian priests and pastors can't even help a person who is ill or has met with an accident as they are immediately charged with proselytisation. Thus they cannot educate and give medical help to the needy. BJP ruled states like Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have brought about anti-conversion law which denies religious freedom and now victims of caste system cannot even walk out of Hinduism,'' Mr Chandra highlighted.

He said the Coucil was a partenr with the All India Confederation of SC/ST organisations on this issue. Adding that people from Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh are approaching them about not being allowed to change their religion in these states, they are willing to embrace Christianity on October 14, which also coincides with Lord Buddha's 2550th Parinirvana.

UNI AR DKB KN2030