DALITS/SCHEDULED CASTES - 2013 - Indian Social Institute

clear violation of Section 42 of the SC, ST Act which stated that Dalit and tribal people’s land cannot bepurchased by non-Dalits or non-tribals. The Supreme Court has also recently given a ruling on the matterfavouring the Dalits and tribals. According to the Act, the State Government should hand over the Dalitland after evicting encroachers which was not followed here, cited the victims. “If the State Governmentdoes not take any appropriate action in the case, we will stage a dharana in front of the State Assemblydemanding justice,” warned Pangi on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Nanda rubbished the allegation, claiming itas baseless and false. (Pioneer 12/12/13)In Gujarat, thousands of Dalits choose Buddhism for a 'new identity' (2)Rajkot: Thousands of Dalits from the state gathered at Patapar village near Junagadh and converted toBuddhism with an aim to "walk on the path of Truth" on Sunday. Eyewitnesses said that around 5,000Dalits from Saurashtra and Kutch and other parts of the state attended "Chalo Buddh Ki Aur" event andconverted to Buddhism in the presence of Bikhhu Sanghasena, the founder of the MahabodhiInternational Medication Centre (MIMC), and leaders of Mahabodhi Society from Sri Lanka. Jaydev Bapa,a revered figure here, was among the Dalits who converted to Buddhism. "We seek to walk on the path ofTruth. Buddhism preaches equality, brotherhood and non-violence. This change would help develop thecommunity," Deven Vanvi, convenor of Buddha Diksha Mahotsav Samiti (BDMS), an umbrellaorganisation of Dalit associations, said. "We all know what is happening in the society. This will changeour identity as individuals. If someone asks us who we are, from now on we shall say we are Buddhists,forsaking the term 'Harijan' coined by Mahatma Gandhi for us and uncomfortable feelings associated withit," Vanvi further said. Tushar Shripal, a member of BDMS, said, "This is a matter of self-respect. Being aDalit is like living in a constant state of humiliation. The change will give people self-respect and selfpride."The organisers claimed that the event was largest of its kind in the state. Dalits from Kodinar,Manavadar, Keshod and Junagadh talukas attended the event with entire community. "We tookinspiration from Dr B R Ambedkar and had been planning the event since this February under theguidance of Jaydev Bapa," Vanvi added. Dr Ambedkar, the architect of our Constitution, had converted toBuddhism along with scores of his community members in protest against caste prejudice. (IndianExpress 14/12/13)Gujarat orders probe into conversion of Dalits (2)The Gujarat government has ordered an inquiry into the mass conversion of Dalits to Buddhism atDungarpur village in Junagadh district on Sunday. Junagadh district collector Alok Pandey told The IndianExpress: "I have ordered a probe into the event and asked the Superintendent of Police and subdivisionalmagistrate to inquire into the issue and submit a report at the earliest." Pandey said that thoughhe had prior knowledge about the event, it was mandatory for the organisers to take prior permission onthe conversions, under the new anti-conversion law. "The organisers had informed the administrationabout holding the event. But they went ahead with the programme without obtaining proper permission,"Pandey told this newspaper. He said that the administration had procured videos of the five-hour eventand would conduct a thorough probe to see if there was violation of the law. Under privisions of Section 5of the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Rules, 2008, a proper and prior permission of the district magistratewas mandatory before any religious conversion. Any violation amounted to an offence and invited action.Devendra Govindbhai Vanvi of the Baudh Diksha Mahotsava Samiti, an umbrella organisation ofBuddhists and Dalits in the state that organised the event, however, claimed that he had secured priorpermission. "The village panchayat provided its ground for the event. Mamlatdar and other officials gaveus permission for using a microphone, provided us ambulance and other facilities," claimed Vanvi. "Whyshould the administration allow the event and provide facilities for it if the event was illegal," he stated.Vanvi alleged that a probe into the event seemed to have been ordered under political pressure. Why didDalits convert to Buddhism? Vanvi said that Dalits were embracing Buddhism to seek "emancipation"from the Hindu caste system that had virtually made them "social slaves" for centuries. Former minister