Summary:
KANPUR: Over 10,000 Dalits of Pukhrayan village in Kanpur Dehat district of UP on Friday worshipped mythological demon king Ravana and later reportedly embraced Buddhism on the occasion of Dussehra in the presence of Bahraich BJP MP Savitri Bai Phule. We will make entire India Buddhmayi and Samrat Ashokamayi, and bring an end to the Manuwadi system prevailing in the country. NH-25 echoed with “Kate Klesh, Jai Lankesh (Lanka king delivers from pain)” slogans raised on the occasion.“I went there to attend the ceremony as Buddhism has shown the possibility of dignity and equality. We will continue the tradition of converting poor Dalits and backwards to Buddhism,” he added.Kanpur Dehat DM Rakesh Singh, meanwhile, denied that any conversion had taken place at the ceremony and termed the event as “a rally in honour of Ravana, which is an annual affair”. The district administration, however, denied that any conversion took place at the event.However, reports said that conversions were done in the presence of 12 Buddhist monks during Ambedkar Baudh Deeksha ceremony held on the Krishi Mandi Samiti ground in Pukhrayan..