Over 10,000 Dalits ‘adopt’ Buddhism in Kanpur Dehat

KANPUR: Over 10,000 Dalits of Pukhrayan village in Kanpur Dehat district of UP on Friday worshipped mythological demon king Ravana and later reportedly embraced Buddhism on the occasion of Dussehra in the presence of Bahraich BJP MP Savitri Bai Phule. The district administration, however, denied that any conversion took place at the event.
However, reports said that conversions were done in the presence of 12 Buddhist monks during Ambedkar Baudh Deeksha ceremony held on the Krishi Mandi Samiti ground in Pukhrayan.NH-25 echoed with “Kate Klesh, Jai Lankesh (Lanka king delivers from pain)” slogans raised on the occasion.
“I went there to attend the ceremony as Buddhism has shown the possibility of dignity and equality. We will make entire India Buddhmayi and Samrat Ashokamayi, and bring an end to the Manuwadi system prevailing in the country. We will wipe out those who have fed this country with the poison of caste divide,” said Phule when questioned about her presence at the event.
“The ceremony was conducted in the spirit of Ravana, Lord Gautam Buddha, Samrat Ashoka and Baba Saheb Ambedkar, who fought against caste discrimination in society,” said event organiser Dhani Rao Baudh Panther, who is the president of Bharatiya Dalit Panther Committee.
Dhani Rao also attacked chief minister Yogi Adityanath, saying: “Such is the evil of discrimination prevailing in our society that even our chief minister went on to purify former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav’s bungalow before taking its possession.”
He claimed that like previous years, nearly 10,000 people, mostly from Dalit and backward classes, assembled at the maidan and embraced Buddhism in the presence of Buddhist monks. Before taking oath, the people took out a chariot procession with a man seated on it, depicting Ravana.
Prior to the celebrations, Dalit Panther volunteers issued directives, asking villagers not to burn the effigy of Ravana since it would mean insulting their Lord.
Rao added that as Ravana was a Buddhist scholar, he should be worshipped.
“We have been organising Baudh Deeksha ceremony every year so that the future generations would remember the sacrifices of Ravana, besides Lord Gautam Buddha, Samrat Ashoka and Baba Saheb Ambedkar. We will continue the tradition of converting poor Dalits and backwards to Buddhism,” he added.
Kanpur Dehat DM Rakesh Singh, meanwhile, denied that any conversion had taken place at the ceremony and termed the event as “a rally in honour of Ravana, which is an annual affair”.