Some things in India are slow to change

Thousands embrace Buddhism-India-The Times of India:

"MUMBAI: In a hugely symbolic gesture that may have a long-term effect on state and national politics, thousands of tribals and Dalits converted to Buddhism at a massive gathering here on Sunday, marking the 50th year of Dr B R Ambedkar's conversion to the religion to escape the rigid Hindu caste system.

"Though the number of people present at Mahalaxmi Race Course was a little less than the expected figure of 100,000, it was definitely one of the biggest mass conversions in modern Indian history."

Despite all the signs of material progress, some parts of Indian culture have been very slow to change. Dalits (untouchables) and tribal peoples are still at a great disdavantage socially, economically and politically vis-a-vis higher caste Hindus. The ascendance of militant Hinduism in Indian politics has exacerbated those problems.

It isn't just Muslim-Hindu tensions that tear at the fabric of Indian society. There is also a lot of hostility toward Christians - both native born believers and foreign missionaries.

The Dalits and tribals who converted to Buddhism in this mass ceremony - approximately 50,000 of them - are said to be doing so in part to exempt themselves from the Hindu caste system.