Bangalore: The Andhra Pradesh dt. Head- quarters town of Nellore on the East Coast created history on Feb.4,1996 when about 5,000 Dalits embraced Buddhism.
It is said that such a big mass conversion to Buddhism is first of its kind in the State barring the capital city Hyderabad.
V.T. Rajshekar, Editor of Dalit Voice, who was the chief guest, called upon the Dalit leaders who came from different parts of the State to follow the great example set by the Nellore Dalits.
Untouchables are not Hindus and were never Hindus, said Babasaheb. But it will not be possible to achieve political, economic or even social progress unless the Untouchables formally quit Hinduism and go to Buddhism and thereby constitute themselves into a community as directed by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, he said.
The brain behind the conversion ceremony is an old Dalit Voice subscriber, Sad dharma, and his dedicated band of comrades. Those interested in following the Nellore example may write to him at 25-1-1458, “Raja Grohe”, Gautham Nagar, Nellore, AP-524 004.
