Over 15,000 people converted to Buddhism, as part of the golden jubilee celebration of the Dhamma Chakra Parivarthana, in Gulbarga on October 14.
The conversion rally was led by Bhante Bodhi Dhamma, founder president of the International Buddhist Youth Organisation of Nagpur. Thousands of people marched in a rally from Jagat Circle through the main streets of the city. The rally culminated in the MSK Mill Grounds.
The ceremony began with a prayer and Bhante Bodhi Dhamma administered the Buddha Deeksha oath. Later, they entered the new world by reciting lines from the holy texts of Buddhism.
Former Union Minister V. Shrinivas Prasad said B.R. Ambedkar described his conversion to Buddhism as a “renunciation from Hinduism”. Dr. Ambedkar rejected Hinduism mainly because of its justification of inhuman practices such as untouchability, he said.