Around 1,700 Hindus convert to Buddhism in Bihar

Pat, January 5: Around 1,700 Hindus in Bihar have embraced Buddhism citing the religion’s emphaisis on unity and no discrimition among its followers, an official said on Monday. Of these, 1,200 belong to Bainkathpur and Kudarbagha villages in Saran district, about 80 km from here, said a district police official. The conversion took place on Saturday and Sunday, the official added.

According to the official, most of those converted to Buddhism were dalits and mahadalits and have been facing social discrimition in day to day life. After converting to Buddhism, they said they have chosen the new religion for its stress on unity and no discrimition among its followers, the official said. On Saturday, 500 Hindus embraced Buddhism in the state’s Gaya district. (IANS)