New Delhi: The Gujarat government has issued a circular stating that Buddhism is counted as a separate religion and so anyone converting from Hinduism to Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism needs to get approval from the local district magistrate as defined under the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act, 2003.
According to The Indian Express, this circular was issued on March 8 by the Gujarat home department “after it came to the notice of the government that applications seeking conversion to Buddhism were not being dealt with as per rules”.
Every year, the state sees mass conversions by Dalits to Buddhism on festivals like Dussehra.
“…it has come to notice that in applications seeking permission for conversion from Hinduism to Buddhism, procedure as per rules are not being followed. Moreover, sometimes, representations are being received from applicants and autonomous bodies that for religious conversion from Hinduism to Buddhism, prior permission is not required,” the circular stated.
“In cases where applications are filed seeking prior permission, concerned offices are disposing such applications while stating that under Article 25(2) of the Constitution, Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism are included within Hinduism and so the applicant is not required to take permission for (such) religious conversion,” it continued.
“It is possible that the replies given to applicants in sensitive subject like religious conversion without sufficient study of legal provisions can result in judicial litigations,” according to the circular.
A home department official told The Indian Express that this circular had been issued as a clarification. “Some district magistrates were wrongly interpreting the Act and its rules while deciding applications of the religious conversion from Hinduism to Budhhism. Also, some district magistrates had sought guidance on the subject. So, we have issued the clarification through this circular,” the official said.
Several Buddhist groups organise mass conversions for Dalits inspired by Dr B.R. Ambedkar.
Ramesh Banker, the secretary of one such group Gujarat Buddhist Academy, told The Indian Express, “This circular has made it clear that Buddhism is a separate religion and it has nothing to do with Hinduism. The confusion was created by (some in the) administration while misinterpreting the law. We believed from the beginning that Buddhism is not a part of Hinduism and for conversion to Buddhism, prior permission of the district magistrate is mandatory in a prescribed format. It was our demand (to issue such a clarification), which has been fulfilled.”
