Spotlight on Buddha's message at Dalit convention

Staff Correspondent

MAKING A RESOLVE: A Dalit convention on equality was organised at the Maharaja's College Grounds in Mysore on Sunday. — PHOTO: M A SRIRAM

MYSORE: A large number of Dalits participated in a convention on equality in Mysore on Sunday and resolved to spread the message of Buddha.

At the convention titled "Buddhanedege Marali Manege," leaders and youth of the Dalit community from across the State adopted a resolution to take up a door-to-door campaign on spreading the principles of Buddha.

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President M. Mallikarjun Kharge; the former Union Minister V. Srinivas Prasad, the former Ministers G. Parameshwar and H.C. Mahadevappa, and writer Devanur Mahadev were among those present on the occasion.

Tableau

A tableau flagged off from Bangalore, carrying the portrait of Buddha in meditation, arrived at the venue before the convention began. It was kept on the stage.

The convention was organised by the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Research and Extension Centre of Mysore University and the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Dhamma Deekshe Golden Jubilee Committee. It provided a platform for holding deliberations on Buddha and B.R. Ambedkar. It was organised to mark the 50 years of Dr. Ambedkar embracing Buddhism as a mark of protest against casteism.

The gathering adopted a resolution to condemn the social boycott, caste atrocities and exploitation of Dalits. Although 60 years had passed since India attained freedom , social evils had not been eliminated, it was observed.