Arvind Kabeer, Aurangabad, India

Thank u Shahnawaz bhai

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Uday, mangalore

Rebuttal to Dodhanna -
Duddhanna, first and foremost you are not an authority on hinduism. Please do not associate caste system with hinduism. Second, ill treating and divide and conquer are two different things. Are you talking of the crusades ??.
Last, there is nothing like joining and leaving Hinduism. It is a way of life. It is eternal dharma or sanathana dharma - that what is you and around you. So there is no place that you can run or hide. In such a situation tell me what is the point in leaving and joining. It is no INSTITUTION.

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Shivani, Ireland/Mangalore

I hope they wont be called as Dalit Buddists henceforth!! It appears that the word 'dalit' is attached to them even if they are converted to another religion. They are already been humiliated so far for being dalits, I hope in buddism, they get the respect and recognition that they deserve.

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Amit, Mangalore

Nothing new,Its happening all over INDIA:-

PTI, Oct 15, 2006, 03.16pm IST
PHAGWARA: As many as 1,300 Dalits of the region converted to Budhism at a congregation held at village Chak Hakee.

Jajati Karan , CNN-IBN- d Jun 17, 2007 at 05:42am IST
Kendrapara (Orissa): A 1000 Dalits embraced Buddhism a day after Ambedkar Jayanti in Orissa’s Kendrapara district. However, these were conversions with a difference.

Press Trust of India-Muzaffarnagar (UP), June 03, 2006
As many as 500 Hindu dalits reportedly converted to Buddhism at a ceremony supervised by the Buddhist Society of India in Saharanpur district. According to Acharya Pragya, divisional incharge of the Society, 500 Hindu dalits were converted to Buddhism at a religious gathering in Ambola village on Friday. He claimed close to 5000 dalits have converted to Buddhism in the past couple of months in western Uttar Pradesh.

Gulf Times, May 28, 2007
MUMBAI, India About 50,000 low-caste Hindus and nomadic tribespeople converted to Buddhism before a vast crowd yesterday in the hope of escaping the rigidity of the ancient Hindu caste system and finding a life of dignity. Monks in orange and saffron robes administered religious vows to the converts as about half a million spectators, mostly Buddhists, cheered the ceremony at the Mahalaxmi horseracing track in Mumbai.
5000 Gujarat Dalits convert to Buddhism

by Rathin Das ("Hindustan Times," October 5, 2003)
Around 5,000 Dalits and Adivasis from all

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Doddanna, Damaskatte/Abudhabi

Uday Bangalore: your comments that Muslims and Christians live thier masters teaching as 'divide and rule' is nothing but to hide your religious hypocrecy. It is among Hindus that the worst system called Cast system that prevailed and persecuted and killed innocents for centuries. Even a shadow of a lower caste falls on an upper caste was regarded as sin and as a result the powerful Hindu upper castes persecuted, punished and even on certain occsions killed the lower caste poor people. This is what is called 'divide and rule' and not the other way round one you mentioned referring to Muslims and Christians. This is what makes the lower caste Hindus leave thier religion and go to some other religions because they cannot climb the ladder of supremacy in thier own religion becuase it is impossible accouding to your rubrics that a dalit becomes a Brahmin even if he can be born again... Jai Hooo. Doddanna - Damaskatte

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BALU, Mangalore

shahnawaz kukkikatte, dubai/udupi
You have rightly said. we are indians, we know what the fact is. They think they can easily fool everyone.

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shahnawaz kukkikatte, dubai/udupi

RR/Arun CK,

Dont mislead the readers. In your argument you say that these buddhist wear saffron robe which equates them to hinduism.. Would you then accept if christians and muslims wear saffron robe and preach and practice their faith as a part of hinduism.... You please go back to the history of buddhism. Buddhism clearly tells that root cause of all sorrows is desire. Where as aryanism is vested in desire for supremacy and this desire for supremacy has lead to the varna system which is a social evil and its sorrow for the low caste hindus.... We must eradicate varna system should you all wish to have social equality.. Even if a dalit becomes PM of India or an industrialist like Ambanis, would your aryans allow this person to enter a temple and offer prayer... No not at all. he may be a prime minister but he is a shudra.. How come shudra becomes close to God? He can change his party, his ideology, his dress, food habits but he cant change his social status....I call upon low caste people to revolt against the much tormenting caste system and break open all barriers and become priests and poojaris of powerful mutts and temples which have been hitherto is the monopoly of aryan people because these temples brings in revenue easily which is pocketed and spent by these clergies... This is beginning of much awaited social change.. Keep it up..

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nancy menezes, mangalore

Faith is absulutely a personal concept. its a free gift given by God. no one should touch it. let us be free to live our faith.

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Preethi Baretto, Mangalore, Doha-Qatar

It is a Voluntary and Personal wish of the Individuals to Choose the Religion.

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uday, bangalore

Buddhism is definitely an offshoot of Hinduism, similar to Sikhism. However, it originated from the same soil and hindus have always been tolerant with Buddhist. I am not aware how and where the hindu's eliminated Buddhism. I am not talking about "Brahiminism" which one should not equate as Hindu. There are a lot of tuluva's who are hindu's but believe in the spirits of their ancestors ( eg : Bunts, Billavas, Mogaveeras, etc..). So when you push the button on Hindus, you are hurting their sentiments. The one's who allowed the converted folks to live in harmony.
I see here that it is the Christians and Muslims who want to separate Hindus and Buddhist, this is as per their masters teaching, divide and conquer.
These Dalits have come forward and expressed their desire to follow a belief system. There is no agenda here such as "we are just praying to the same god" and then brain washing....

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vidit, bangalore

It is really good news that dalit joining Buddism.still they will be ST? iT GOOD NEWS WE CAN DECREASE THE RESERVATION QUOTA IF ALL JOIN.
gOOD NEWS FOR GENERAL PUBLIC

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A. S. Mathew, U.S.A.

Mr. RR, Mangalore: Thank you for your response to my comment. Since
you have indicated my name with a challenging question, I
am simply answering it.

You have got many answers from
the comments of the readers.

The theological answer was very
firm and clear from Mr. Shahnawaz
Kukkikattee.

The main and fundamental reason,
why the Dalits are leaving from
Hinduism came from
Ms. Rohini, Mangalore.

If you can give me an approximate
data of the Dalit Pujarees and
high Priests in the Hindu religion
all across India, then I will
work hard to find the list of
Bishops and Priests. There are
Priests and Bishops from the
Dalit community.

I can speak from my personal
expereince, that I have washed
their wounds as a
young boy, ate with them the same
food they have cooked and hugged
them. That is the best I could do
so far practically.

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Franky D Silva, Managalore, UAE

My Sri Lankan friends tell me that Buddhism and Hinduism are "two different religions". Therefore, the convesion of 2000 dalits is a clear case of changing the religion. However, every one has the right to change his/her own religion and no should stop it. Long live secular India.

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Doddanna, Damaskatte/Abudhabi

Gautam, Mangalore/Australia, you have given the most fitting answer to RR Mangalore, as he does not know exact difference between Hinduism and Buddhism.Your comments are a fitting reply to those who do not know how to distinguish between Hinduism and Buddhism. You have said it correctly that Buddhism suffered a lot of persecution in the hands of the power hungry Hindu upper classes. Doddanna Damaskatte.

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Gautam, Mangalore/Australia

RR: Your views are as distorted as the fanatic BD, VHP, RSS or Al Qaeda. Shahnawaz has given you a perfect reply on the differences of Hinduism and Buddhism.
Buddhism was born in India but was never allowed to flourish because of the corrupt and power hungry Hindhu priests, which is really a shame on hindhuism. Even at this very moment there is a power struggle happening in Sri Lanka between the buddhists and the hindus. Wherever the hindhus are they cause trouble. They have also started trouble in Singapore and Malaysia. No wonder India has not prospered at the rate of China.
And also the buddhists monks dont wear saffron they wear maroon clothing. Dont blindly look at pictures and make comments without any substance up there.

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Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai / Mapusa

@RR, Mangalore / Suresh, Mumbai.
I appreciate your efforts in trying to convince me both Hinduism and Buddhism is the same religion.
Many say they have no problems with Hindus converting to Buddhism.
Buddhist’s are not converting to Hinduism but it is the other way round.
There seems to be a problem with Hinduism and you don’t want to admit it.
Is that why people are abandoning this religion?

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vijju baretto, kundapura/kuwait

very good comments you are write

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Charles D'Mello, Pangala

Whenever hindus turn to Christianity it is for money and they are lured and forced..!!??? What has gone wrong in this incident. Why guy's used to bounce on Christians are keeping quiet..!!!??? Dont you have any excuses..!!???

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Charles D'Mello, Pangala

Shahnawaz kukkikatte, Dubai/Udupi....what a meaningful comment..!!?? These So called Hindu Psuedos will find it difficult to digest such a strong dose..!!???

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Ravi, Mangalore

preethi, mangalore whatever happening here is not conversion. Those dalits are planning to accept buddhism with their own interest, but the people like you are waiting to comment against BD/RSS/VHP for each and everything.

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Rohini, Mangalore

We hindus should realise that Dalits are moving away because we have ill treated them. No wonder many are moving to Christainity as well. Let us be kinder & more benevolent to our own , and our Hindus will stay

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RR, Mangalore

A.S.Mathew,USA
Can you guarantee that a dalit convert be nominated as priest of important city like Mangalore or Bangalore or as Bishop of Mangalore/Bangalore?If your answer is in negative please don't scribble poetry on religion,creator,god,convertion,human rights,mankind etc.,Okay.

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jayant, riyadh/suratkal

For all those who want answer read RR mangalores comment. He is 100% rightly said what we believe.

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praveen, mangalore

Where are the guardians of hindu culture? how can this happen.where is BD, VHP,HJM etc.

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Fernandes F, Mangalore / UAE

Its 21st century mass converrsion. More to follow I , Believe at present the untouchabilty in in all aspect of life. Come on folks go a head ,,choose the right against the long time attrocities , untoouchablity and deprieving the human dignity in the universe by few % of high caste people who say they are GOD's closer folks,.
Jai ho...

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A.S.Mathew, U.S.A.

Hearty congratulations to all of
them in their solid decision to
make their personal choice to
follow another religion. Every
human being has that right.

It was happened very peacefully.
If 2000 Hindus came to embrace
Christian faith, the state of
Karnataka might have turned like
a civil war zone with all the
leaders landing at the spot to
create a political inferno.

Those people who are holding on
to their self-made "religious
philosophy" that every Indian has
the right to change religion, as
long as those religions are of the
Indian origin but none other
religions of the world, is quite illogical and a personal
suppression.

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rudy, bantwal

DALITS ARE TREATED VERY BADLY BY THE HINDUS THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO GO TO TEMPLES, ANY FUNCTIONS, GOOD FOR THEM ATLEAST THEY CAN LIVE A GOOD LIFE IN BUDDISM JOI HO DALITS

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U.S, Mangalore

Buddhisrs are the peace loving peoples. They are not having any hidden agenda. Pls. dont over react against any Swamijies or religious outfit.

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Alwyn, Mangalore - USA

We will be a better country when each religious group can trust its members to obey the dictates of their own religious faith without assistance from the legal structure of their country.

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Michelle Braggs, Dubai

Well said RR! Atleast the dalits are not converted into "Dalit Christains" They still follow hinduism (Buddhism is a part of Hinduism)

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Sampath , Mlore/Blore

2,000 Dalits to Turn Buddhists!! Now where are the SO-CALLED PROTECTORS of Hinduism. RSS BAJARANG DAL RAMA SENE sleeping? and what does BJP says this.... Mr Nagesh Mamu are you there?

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Charles D'Mello, Pangala

I think there must be Christians behind this mass conversion..!!!???

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prakash, MANGALORE/DUBAI

In this case no problem .

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preethi, mangalore

Where is Nagesh Mamu,BDS,RSS Sanga Parivar?.Now no one is there to stop this conversion?. Only when it comes to Christianity and Muslim there is a big issue.MR. RR. Who told you this is not a forceful conversion did you speak to this 2000 people.They might have got some big offer.

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Lawrence D souza, Nakre Karkala Oman

Everyone have right to the religion according to the individual knowledge and understanding……….remember ultimately we were –are adoring under one roof to one almighty god…….so why partiality, obstruction or using massage power by PEJAWARA SRI .BD.SRS.VHP……

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Sudhir, mangaluru

Martin, Its just like you yourlsef sold from dalit to christanity, its simple.

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ISMAIL K PERINJE, PERINJE/YANBU-KSA

Arun CK,Mangalore, I am smelling what you are cooking and don't hide the weakness of apathy against Daliths which is a result of the today's Daijiworld headlines!People like you to think seriously about the excudus of Dalith Hindus to Buddhism in such a magnitude that also in Udupi which may bring enimity with in the communities.

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Doddanna, Damaskatte/Abudhabi

R.R. Mangalore, all your explanations are below a certain level or knee deep. Buddhism began as a revolt against Hinduism, read some of the Hindu literature. Read the Bhagavadgita which is a mixture of Buddhism and Hinduism, to placte the anger of Buddists who were chased away by the Hindu fanatics and grew in the neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka, Burma, Indonesis, Malesia, Japan, Korea etc. The Hindu intellectuals wanted to bridge the gap by producing the Song of the Lord - The Bhagavadgita which has full of references to Yoga and Nishkamakarma. Buddhism never had a peaceful co-existence with the Hindus. This explanation you have give just to defend your ideas of religion saying that Buddhism and Hinduism is same or akin is unacceptable. There is a world of difference between Buddhism and Hinduism because Hinduism accepts 330000 incarnations of God but Buddhism does not have a God and they do not belive in any deity. Their belief is only on Nirvana through the Yoga. So where is the similarity? If Hindus become Christians you have huge problem, but when Hindus become Buddhists you "defend yourself and shut up". This is hypocresy. That is why making some comments on similarities because they were suffron colour and hindus wear suffron colour is ridiculous. The initial Buddhism came under terrible persecution by the Hindus. To this fact the history books are a very strong proof. Commenting just for the sake of justifying does not help any way. Doddanna - Damaskatte

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shahnawaz kukkikatte, dubai/udupi

RR/Arun CK Mangalore,

Wah, logics and theories of convenience.. Hypocrisy and stories to suit your needs... If Budddha was one of the incarnations (avataras)of Lord Vishnu, why you people have not accepted Buddha and his religion?? Buddhism was born in India and Buddhists were persecuted and driven away by the powerful Brahmins and upper castes... It found refuge and pagtronage in foreign soil like China, Japan, Indonesia, Sri Lanka etc. Though it was born in India, it didnt flourish in its birth land... Buddhist theory of karma and salvation didnt appease the powerful upper caste people... They succeeded in systematically eradicating Buddhism from India. Buddhism preached non violence, truthfulness and salvation by karma and not by janma...

Brahminism always advocated salvation by janma and not by karma. Buddhism is a different religion altogether and it cant be a part of hinduism. If its a part of hinduism, why its not being preached, taught and practiced by the purohit community... Lets not have double standards and double take... Truth is bitter and shall not go down easily with these hypocrites... This mass conversion is nothing but social change in the right direction. Dalits are human beings like you, me and any upper caste person. When blood donated by dalit/shudra can be accepted in to the system of upper caste men, why dalits are not accepted in the social system. When the Creator God has not made any differences amongst us, who are we to outcaste them..

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Diwakar, Bangalore

No one cares if lower caste lives or dies or converts to other religion. But if upper cast like Konkani speaking persons or similar other cast persons convert though at their will then it is problem for Goons including pejawar. This is reality of Hindus. Pejawar does not want to admit that Dalits are his brothern or belongs to Hinduism. As per Hindu darma, dalits are sinners as per Karma theory and to serve as salves. But in modern days after Reservation policy, it is good to see upcoming dalits trashing all the old useless theories propogated persons like pejawar etc.. In the process it is surprising to see even they trash the Hinduism. I dont understand why being within Hindus try to change the system, learn the pooja retuals and trash existing priests and Aryan Brahminical systems.

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martin, bantwal

2000 thrashed hinduism to buddism.. err where r goondas i mean BD/RSS/VHP..hiding..?..

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Antony T. D' Souza, Karkala / Qatar

Ages old Social Stratification, religious intolerance coming into being, called as “ SOCAIL SANKRITIZATION” as we read above. It is a symptom of healthy growth of the society fighting for their social status, social respect and religious freedom. With no much option left at their hand, trends will have to show up every now and then.

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RR, Mangalore

For those who ponder for logic behind this event here is the asnwer.
This is not at all a religious conversion and therefore Hindu baiters therefore need not get panic and loose heart.Hindus don't view Buddhism as a different religion as such.Hindus respect and treat Buddha as one incarnation among Dashavatara,s by Lord Vishnu.Hence where is the question of treating those ebraced Buddhism as their path for salvation as converts.Notable point here is there is no luring the so called Dalits with material gains or poluting the soceity by distribution of books/brochures with derogatory remarks about Hindu gods as done by New Life Soceity.The event is being conducted as voluntary and there is no compulsion.Those who pretend blind in the matter may kindly note that the event is scheduled to be held in a venue of Hindus and not Christians or Muslims.To further make the critics to understand better please note that Dr.Ambedkar who has written constitution of the nation and respects him greatly was also ebraced Buddhism.Buddhists too wear saffron like Hindu monks which should not annoy Hindu baiters.As pointed out by Jossey Saldanha,Mapusa,in third case there is no big problem but it is subject to review for apperent reasons.

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SUJITHPOLALI, POLALI, MANGALORE

DEAR READERS PLEASE .DO NOT BLAME PEJAWARA SRI .BD.SRS.VHP.FOR THIS .THIS IS HAPPENING FOR ONLY PUBLICITY ,
THEY ARE CHANGING THIER RELIGION AS PER THEY ARE WISH HERE NO BUDDIST MISSION HAVE OFFEERD THEM ANYTHING LIKE WHAT OTHER  MISSIONS USE TO DO

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Allwyn, mangalore

Now where are those BD/VHP/RSS/Ram Sene members, any of these members any plans to stop this one ? can anyone explain is this right now ???

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suresh, mumbai

JOSSY SALDANA, HERE IS THE ANSWER FOR "WHY"
A number of Hindu traditions portray Buddha as the most recent of ten principal avatars, known as the "Dasavatara" (Ten Incarnations of God). The ten incarnations of Vishnu are: Matsya (fish), Koorma (tortoise), Varaha (boar), Narasimha (the man-lion), Vamana (the dwarf) Parasurama (the angry prince), Rama (the perfect human), Krishna (the divine statesman), Buddha and Kalki (the redeemer of righteousness in the kali Yuga, who is yet to appear).
The Buddhist Dasharatha Jataka (Jataka Atthakatha) represents Rama as a previous incarnation of the Buddha as a Bodhisattva and supreme Dharma King of great wisdom.

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Arun CK, Mangalore

2000 Dalits converted into Buddisem. If this would bring them a better life in the society good for them no problem at all, they are free to follow any religion except this may hurt the ego of some fundamentalists.
People Like Ismail Perinje & Sahnawaz Kukkikatte always like to fish in the ponds like this. & then they preach about Communcal harmony.

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Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai / Mapusa

ganesh, mangaladevi, mangalore.
You are right, even I fail to understand this conversion logic.
Christianity to Hinduism - No Problem.
Hinduism to Buddhism - No Problem.
Hinduism to Christianity - Big Problem.
Can someone throw some light?

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Ajit, Mangalore

Time to wait n watch!!!
What!!!!! 2000 hindus will adopt Buddhism????
What a scale of convertion.
Very keen to know what is BD, VHP, RS is planning to stop this.

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shahnawaz kukkikatte, dubai/udupi

where is the Udupi Pejawar swami who has marched in Dalit colonies... Just marching is not enought, just treat them as equal to u in all biological respects...Good work by Sunder master...In you new religion you shall not be called as untouchable or shudra....I call upon all untouchables to migrate to buddhism, christianity or Islam so that there wont be any shudra left in our society.

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ISMAIL K PERINJE, PERINJE/YANBU-KSA

Buddham Sharanam Gachhami,Sangam Sharanam Gachhami.........What went wrong here are to change the religion in such numbers that laso in the place Lord Krishna is debatable subject for which our Hindu brothers to explain and I think mere changing religion for a pubicity strunt will not do good for any community.If some one changes his religion after deliberations then only we can say it is geniun.There would be no considerable change in the life of these CONVERT IN WAITING unless govt interfere to the plight these unfortunates or haves not.

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ganesh, mangaladevi, mangalore

where is BD ?

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