Darshan B Somashekhar, the State President of The Buddhist Society of India youth unit, called for the issuance of dharma certificates to Buddhists irrespective of caste during a press conference in Bengaluru. He highlighted Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s conversion of approximately 10 lakh Dalit community members to Buddhism in 1956, envisioning a casteless society that remains unrealized to date. Somashekhar emphasized the society’s intensified efforts in Karnataka to realize Ambedkar’s dream by actively promoting casteless communities.
Despite the growing interest in Buddhism, it lacks legal recognition as a non-caste religion, hampering mobility and official recognition across states. Somashekhar urged the Karnataka government to issue religion certificates to Buddhists devoid of caste identifiers.
Treasurer B.R. Krishnaiah echoed Somashekhar’s concerns, attributing the persistence of the caste system to certain individuals’ divisive tactics, resulting in the erosion of peace and social cohesion. Stressing Ambedkar’s vision of a harmonious society, Krishnaiah underscored the urgency to safeguard youth from the divisive influence of casteism, fostering peace and unity in the nation and the state.
