Over a hundred Dalits adopt Buddhism in Karnataka

Kalburagi (Karnataka) : Over 60 Dalit families, in Karnataka's Kundagoli village in Kalburagi district renounced Hinduism and converted to Buddhism today.

The main reason for the conversion was cited as oppression and abuse from the upper-caste Hindu members of the village.

The major step by the villagers was taken after some upper caste villagers attacked and defiled some Dalits at Jewargi Taluka Devi festival on February 9.

"There are a lot of caste-related issues here. We were looked down upon as dogs by others. Thus we decided to take up Buddhism and we are very happy to have done that," said Vittal, a Dalit villager, who has himself been on the receiving end of a lot of maltreatment.