The Telegraph Online
Published 23.05.24, 01:08 PM
The year was 1936. Dalit strongman and architect of the Constitution of India, Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar openly declared, "I was born a Hindu untouchable. But I will not die a Hindu."
Twenty years later, just weeks before his death, Dr Ambedkar converted to Buddhism along with nearly 3,65,000 followers, not just Dalits but upper-caste Hindus. Rejecting Hinduism, they challenged the caste system that oppressed Dalits for centuries. His decision criticised by many, including Gandhi. But... Why did Dr Ambedkar convert to Buddhism? Why did he choose Buddhism over any other religion?
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