Ahmedabad- In a significant development just days before Ambedkar Jayanti, the Gujarat government has issued a circular clarifying that Buddhism must be considered a separate religion, a move applauded by Ambedkarite associations and Buddhist collectives.
The circular, issued by the Home department on April 8, stipulates that any conversions from Hinduism to Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism require prior approval from the district magistrate under the provisions of the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act, 2003.
The move comes in response to growing concerns over the arbitrary interpretation of the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act by district magistrates, leading to delays and confusion in the approval process for religious conversions.
Signed by Deputy Secretary (Home) Vijay Badheka, the circular aims to ensure that conversions are conducted in accordance with established rules and procedures.
In Gujarat, organizations such as Swayam Sainik Dal, Gujarat Buddhist Academy (GBA), Bharatiya Bodh Mahasabha , and the Buddhist Society actively promote the teachings of Buddha and encourage conversions, echoing the sentiments of Baba Saheb, who himself embraced Buddhism.
The circular issued by the Gujarat government addresses concerns regarding the interpretation and application of the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act in cases of conversions from Hinduism to Buddhism/Jainism/SIkhism. It highlights instances where district magistrates have been arbitrarily interpreting the Act, leading to inconsistencies in the approval process for such conversions.
One key issue raised in the circular is the misconception that prior permission is not required for conversions from Hinduism to Buddhism. This misunderstanding has led to some district magistrates disposing of applications without following the prescribed procedure, citing Article 25(2) of the Constitution, which includes Sikhism, Jainism, and Buddhism within Hinduism. However, the circular emphasizes that Buddhism must be considered a separate religion under the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act.
According to the Act, both the person seeking to convert and the individual facilitating the conversion are required to obtain prior permission from the district magistrate. The circular instructs district magistrates to carefully review applications for religious conversion, ensuring compliance with legal provisions and government instructions.
Ambedkarite associations and Dalit collectives have hailed the government's decision, viewing it as a positive step towards affirming the separate identity of Buddhism and addressing administrative hurdles faced by Dalits seeking conversion. Mass conversions to Buddhism, often observed on Ambedkar Jayanti, Dussehra, and other festivals, have been a recurring phenomenon in Gujarat, predominantly among Dalit communities.
The circular concerning Buddhist conversions is anticipated to not only streamline the conversion process but also contribute to the accurate recording of individuals embracing Buddhism. Stakeholders across the state are optimistic that this move will lead to a clearer census of the Buddhist population, addressing a longstanding need for precise demographic data.
Ashok Bauddh, a volunteer of the Syayam Sainik Dal (SSD) in Ahmedabad, shared his experience, highlighting the challenges encountered due to the lack of clear directives. "I converted to Buddhism last April 2023. I had submitted the completed form at the collectorate, but till now, I have not received the certificate," lamented Ashok. He echoed the frustrations of many Dalits who have faced bureaucratic obstacles in their journey towards embracing Buddhism.
A common refrain encountered by individuals seeking conversion has been the assertion that one does not need permission to become a Buddhist, as it is considered a part of Hinduism. Such misconceptions have hindered the smooth execution of the conversion process and underscore the need for clear guidelines, as emphasized by the recent government circular.
With the issuance of the circular, Ambedkarites and Buddhist collectives hope for a streamlined approval process that respects the autonomy of individuals choosing to embrace Buddhism. The recognition of Buddhism as a separate religion is seen as a crucial step towards affirming the distinct identity and rights of Dalit communities in Gujarat.
Shashikant Jadhav, national treasurer of The Buddhist Society of India, has lauded the Gujarat government's recent circular recognizing Buddhism as a separate religion. Speaking to Mooknayak, Jadhav contrasted the ease of religious conversion procedures in Maharashtra with reported administrative hurdles faced by believers in Gujarat, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh.
Jadhav highlighted the streamlined process for religious conversions in Maharashtra, where individuals wishing to convert face minimal hurdles. In contrast, The Buddhist Society of India reportedly receives calls from Gujarat, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh, where believers describe a complicated administrative process and seemingly easily granted approvals.
While admitting that he hasn't read the complete clauses of the Gujarat circular, Jadhav expressed optimism about its potential impact. "If they recognize Buddhism as a separate religion, it is definitely a positive move," he remarked, suggesting that other states should consider similar measures to facilitate religious conversions.
Sanjay Baudh, a devoted follower from Somnath district in Gujarat, sheds light on the burgeoning Buddhist community in the state and the challenges they face in official recognition. In a telephonic conversation with The Mooknayak, Sanjay emphasized the significant rise in Buddhist conversions, particularly among Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities, driven by mass awareness efforts spearheaded by organizations like the SSD.
"Gujarat, with its 7 percent Dalit population, witnesses hundreds of SC and ST individuals adopting Buddhism every month," Sanjay revealed. He attributed this trend to the increasing awareness among people, fuelled by SSD's initiatives such as chintan camps held in rural areas. These efforts aim to empower individuals to embrace Buddhism as a means of escaping oppression and discrimination, resonating deeply with many in the state.
Sanjay highlighted the case of Somnath, where approximately 1000 legally converted Buddhists are recorded in official records. However, bureaucratic delays and procrastination often leave hundreds awaiting official recognition, despite their conversion being legally documented.
Ragesh, another volunteer of the SSD, echoed Sanjay's sentiments, emphasizing the need to view the new circular in a positive light. He expressed hope that the circular would expedite the recognition process and eliminate unnecessary delays, providing much-needed relief to individuals seeking official acknowledgment of their conversion to Buddhism.
Official Census data from 2011 indicates only 30,483 Buddhists in Gujarat, representing a mere 0.05 percent of the population.
In 2023, according to a report by The Indian Express, a notable surge in conversions to Buddhism was observed in Gujarat. Approximately 2,000 individuals, primarily Dalits, embraced the faith, marking a significant cultural and spiritual shift within the state.
Buddhists in Gujarat have raised concerns regarding the accuracy of these figures, asserting that many conversions go unaccounted. It is argued that a considerable number of individuals who have converted to Buddhism are inaccurately recorded as Hindus in official records, leading to a skewed representation of the religious landscape in the state.
According to Ramesh Bhai (pseudo name), a representative of SSD, the decision to convert to Buddhism is a voluntary step of the Dalit community, who have suffered under the caste-based discrimination of Sanatan Dharma. This sentiment is reflected in the actions of Baba Saheb, who himself renounced Hinduism and embraced Buddhism in order to reject the caste system.
As per a rough estimate, more than 1 crore of Dalit population is estimated to convert to Buddhism by 2025. Similarly, the SSD has a systematic plan to organize similar mass conversion ceremonies in Delhi, Kolkata, Banglore, Bhopal and Mumbai on Ambedkar Jayanti, one every year, from 2024 onwards respectively in these big cities.
Before converting to Buddhism or any other religion, individuals are required to adhere to a prescribed procedure, which involves obtaining prior permission from the district magistrate. This process begins with the submission of a specified form by the 'dharmguru' (religious head) overseeing the conversion event.
The form, serving as an official request for permission, must be submitted to the district magistrate at least one month before the scheduled conversion event.
It includes comprehensive details of the individual(s) to be converted, such as their name, address, community, marital status, occupation, monthly income, duration of following the religion from which conversion is intended, reasons for conversion, venue and date of the conversion event, and the name of the dharmguru who will perform the conversion.
This procedure aims to regulate religious conversions in the state and prevent potential misuse or coercion in the process.
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