Dalit Odisha MLA to convert to Buddhism
A Dalit lawmaker from Odisha’s tribal-dominated Koraput district will convert to Buddhism on Sunday, protesting against the lack of respect his community received from Hindu religion over the years.
Congress MLA Krushna Chandra Sagaria, 48, will embrace Buddhism along with 30 other families from different districts in a two-day function. “We never got the due respect as Hindus. Caste is an integral part of Hinduism. Though as a politician I have never faced any discrimination, but my Dalit brothers and sisters have to face discrimination. We all want to embrace Buddhism as it preaches wisdom, friendship and equality,” Sagaria said.
The conversion event will take place at the end of a two-day Dharma Kranti Samaroh at his native village Burja in Laxmipur block of Koraput. “My elder brother who is a bank manager, my two younger brothers, their families and 25 other families will convert in the presence of a Buddhist monk,” said Sagaria.
The first-time MLA had sub- mitted an application to the Koraput district administration on April 15 under the Odisha Freedom of Religion Act, 1967, for conversion. In his affidavit filed before the district magistrate, Sagaria had said he wants to convert to Buddhism as per his own will and “without any pressure, coercion or inducement from any corner”.
The MLA said he was contemplating embracing Buddhism for the past five years. “I like Buddhism. I have attended several vipassana camps. Today, India can be saved only by the teachings of Buddha. Babasaheb Ambedkar had said if you want to establish equality in society and acquire erudition, you should adopt Buddhism,” he said.
Though tribals and Dalits in districts such as Kandhamal, Gajapati, Sundargarh, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj have converted to Christianity over the last four decades, there have not been any reported cases of conversion to Buddhism, unlike in Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Buddhists form a minuscule part of Odisha's population, with an estimated 1,20,000 living in 17 main villages, though it was once a State religion of present-day Odisha. After the conquest of Kalinga by Asoka in 262 BC, Buddhism was given royal patronage and made a state religion.
Between the 8th and 10th centuries, Buddhism was the state religion of Odisha under the rule of the Bhaumakara kingdom. The influence of Buddhism in Odisha continued until the 15th century when a number of stupas and monasteries were built.
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