Indian low-caste Hindus convert en masse

Thousands of low-caste Hindus converted to Buddhism and Christianity yesterday in protest against new laws in several Indian states that make such changes of religion difficult.

The ceremonies took place in the central city of Nagpur to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the conversion to Buddhism of Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, a low-caste Hindu and the founder of India's democratic constitution.

Buddhist monks in orange robes and Christian priests administered religious vows in separate ceremonies to about 10,000 Dalits, the politically correct name for those called "untouchables" in the past.

Several states governed by the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have introduced or strengthened laws to stop what it says are forced conversions, mainly by Christian missionaries.

Most of those who converted yesterday in one of the biggest inter-faith changes in years were poor villagers from the state of Maharashtra where Nagpur is located. While more than 9,000 people converted to Buddhism chanting Buddhist mantras, over 500 others embraced Christianity by taking dips in a makeshift pool as part of the baptism process.