At the time when politics in India is subjected to religion, in particular, “ Dalit Politics”, Buddhism is the fastest growing religion among the schedules castes in India. Thanks to the untouchability factor and vote bank politics.
Government data show the no. of Schedules Caste Buddhists have grown at a rate a 38% from 41.59 lakh in 2001 to 57.56 lakh in 2011. During the same period , the total schedules caste population of the Country grew by 21.3% from 16.6 crore to 20.14 crore. The share of Buddhists in the overall Dalit population still remains only 2.83%.
The numbers of schedules caste individual who profess the Hindu faith had a comparatively slow rate of growth- increasing by 19.6% from 15.8 crore to 18.9 crore over the period 2001t 2011. Sikh schedules castes grew 27% from 46.85 lakh in 2001 to 59. 52 lakh in 2011.
Over 90% of Budhhist Schedules Caste population is concentrated in Maharastra, which has 52.04 lakh Buddhists. In Maharastra, their numbers have grown by close to 60% from 32.51 lakh in 2001.
Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar had first spoken about conversion in 1927 during the Mahad conference where he demanded equal rights. In 1935, he publicly announced his plans to giving up Hinduism at the Yeola Conference. He had said in a speech at Mahad “ I solemnly assure you that I will not die a Hindu.” In 1956, a few weeks before his death, he converted to Buddhism at Deeksha bhoomi , Nagpur. “By discarding my ancient religion which stood for inequality and oppression ,today I am reborn,” Ambedkar had said during his conversion.
The biggest barrier of Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar life was the caste system adopted by the Hindu society according to which the family he was born in was considered ‘untouchable’. His first published article was “Castes in India – Their Mechanism, Genesis and Development” in May 1917.
He had written that sub-division of a society is quite natural, but the unnatural thing about these sub-divisions is that they have lost the open-door character of the class system and have become self-enclosed units called castes. The question is: were they compelled to close their doors and become endogamous, or did they close them of their own accord? I submit that there is a double line of answer: Some closed the door: Others found it closed against them. The one is a psychological interpretation and the other is mechanistic, but they are complementary and both are necessary to explain the phenomena of caste-formation in its entirety.
According to Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar “Origin of Caste in India for, endogamy is the only characteristic of Caste and when I say Origin of Caste I mean The Origin of the Mechanism for Endogamy.”
Hundreds of thousands of dalit mostly Mahars converted to Buddhism along with Ambedkar. Buddhism was not only meant to serve as an escape from the tyranny of Hinduism, but also as a religion that would provide a new identity and a sense of dignity to the community. A large chunk of those who converted with Ambedkar belonged to Maharastra. After his conversion, Ambedkar formed the Bhartiya Bouddha Mahasabha to manage the integrity of the neo-Buddhist community, and to take the work of conversion further. He spoke about working towards making India a Buddhist country.
| Biggest Buddhist SC Population
State Population percentage in Decade 2001-2011
Maharastra 52.04 Lakh 60% increase Madhya Pradesh 1.99 lakh 3.72% increase Uttar Pradesh 1.37 lakh 35% decrease |
Despite the small numbers of Dalit Buddhists, their rapid growth indicates increased assertion among dalit youth and an enthusiasm to identify themselves as Buddhist. There is an increasing understanding about Buddhism amongst SC youth in the country. The reporting of the ideas of Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar and the numerous discussions that are taking place have sensitized youth, who are today proud to identify themselves as Buddhist.
| Rise of Buddhism
What is humanity’s place within the universe? For millennia, people around the world have asked this question. In 6th-century South Asia, this question stirred up a small revolution. The answers provided by traditional Hindu teachings and practices made Indian philosophers and religious sages increasingly upset. Many members of the Vaishya class spoke against the injustices of the Hindu caste system and the overwhelming power of the priestly class, known as the Brahmins. Many Brahmin priests were considered corrupt because they performed animal sacrifices and practiced other Vedic rituals. Resentment of such rituals and continued anger about unbalanced social power prompted the development of new intellectual teachings and philosophies. These new ideas maintained that some aspects of Hindu tradition and ritual had merit. They never directly challenged Vedic gods or beliefs. The rise of Buddhism is closely connected to the prevalent practices in the Brahamanical religion (Early Hinduism). The Brahamanical religion had become increasingly intolerant (of the lower classes) and exclusive (open only to Brahmins and the aristocracy). The emphasis on conducting rituals (with the help of priests) was gradually alienating the masses. Sanskrit was the prerogative of the Brahmins and the aristocracy. In such an environment, Buddha’s teaching offered an alternative to the mainstream religion. The majority of its early followers were the merchants and the Sudras (untouchables). Buddhism provided a path to reach God. The tenets and rules of Buddhism were very simple to understand, appealing to the mass population. Buddha also preached in the local language, Prakrit. The practice of conducting rituals was seen as superfluous to reaching salvation. |
The root of Buddhism was always in India. The time has come when it is spreading its branches and wings at a faster rate.
The prying eyes of politicians and religious leaders on vote bank politics, will have to rethink and replan their strategies in future.
Despite the small numbers of Dalit Buddhists, their rapid growth indicates increased assertion among dalit youth and an enthusiasm to identify themselves as Buddhist. There is an increasing understanding about Buddhism amongst SC youth in the country. The reporting of the ideas of Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar and the numerous discussions that are taking place have sensitized youth, who are today proud to identify themselves as Buddhist.
The root of Buddhism was always in India. The time has come when it is spreading its branches and wings at a faster rate.
The prying eyes of politicians and religious leaders on vote bank politics, will have to rethink and replan their strategies in future.
