India's Untouchables turn to Buddhism in protest at discrimination by
Hindus
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/asia/article1868080.ece
By Justin Huggler in Delhi
Published: 13 October 2006
Across India this month, thousands of Hindus from the former
Untouchable castes are converting to Buddhism in protest at the
continuing discrimination they face. Mass conversion ceremonies are
being held throughout the month, from Delhi in the north, to Hyderabad
in the south. Organisers are claiming that more than 100,000 people
have already converted.
Conversion is a highly charged political issue. Several states have
passed laws this year making it harder to convert, and the mass
ceremonies will infuriate Hindu nationalist parties that have been
campaigning to stop lower caste Hindus changing their religion.
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