Nagpur:
I find the entire trend towards conversion to Islam very disturbing. Knowing how Muslim leaders have manipulated their voting strength in the past, it is likely that unscrupulous elements will easily exploit converted Dalits to their own detriment. They will then become the target of persecution for having been Harijan and then becoming Muslim. Also, I see the entire Dalit movement as such splitting and dividing its strength between Harijan, Muslim and neo-Buddhists. At least as neo-Buddhists they are still self-directed with their leaders chosen from among their own ranks. As Muslims they will become subject to the will of the Islamic clerics and no longer masters of their own destiny. The longterm effects could prove disastrous to them. I think Ambedkar had thought about all these aspects before he decided on Buddhism.
