by reciprocal arrangement with Star of Mysore

Bangalore, Jun, 12: Hundreds of Dalits joined Buddhism on the occasion of the Damma Deeksha convention "Towards Buddha — Back Home" organised on Saturday at Dr. Ambedkar Bhavan here to mark the Buddha jayanthi.

This is the first time that Dalits joined Buddhism enmasse.

Hundreds of Dalits took oath of Damma Deeksha by Boudha Bikshus Veeryasheela Bantheji, Manorakkitha Bantheji, Bhodhiratna Bantheji, Dhammakara Bantheji, Paramananda Bantheji.

Former Union Minister V. Sreenivasa Prasad, who announced his joining Buddhism said the reason for their joining Buddhism was that there was in-equality in Hinduism.

Only after studying all the aspects, Dr. Ambedkar joined Buddhism as he did not want to die as a Hindu, Prasad said.
Litterateur Devanur Mahadeva, who also joined Buddhism on the occasion, said Dalits will lose nothing if they join Buddhism.

Member of Legislative Council and poet Dr. L. Hanumanthaiah, conveners of Dalit Sangarsha Samithi Indudhara Honnapura, N. Venaktesh, Gollahalli Shiva Prasad, Retired Police Officer S. Mariswamy were present.

Vaddagere Nagarajaiah compered the programme.