Why Babasaheb Choose Buddhism over Hindu Religion?

“Cultivation of the mind should be the ultimate aim of human existence”
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
Why did Babasaheb have to say that even though I was born a Hindu, I solemnly assure you that I will not die as a Hindu? When Babasaheb started living social life, he found that caste system works in society. Caste system divides people into two categories which are Savarna and Avarna (superior/ high and inferior/low) because Indian society is based on caste system. Graded inequality is at the core of caste system, in which castes stand one above the other, in an ascending scale of hatred and descending scale of contempt, and have no bond of sympathy. Therefore Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar says that conversion issue should be considered from two perspective. This issue should be thought socially and religiously. And secondly conversion issue should be considered worldly and philosophically. Because untouchability is the main issue for the conversion.

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar says that in order to understand the question of conversion, one must understand what untouchability is, what its nature is. The oppression that is happening due to untouchability, assault for getting education, assault for filling the water from the well. There are many reasons why the untouchables are beaten by the upper castes. Such as being beaten for wearing high costume, beaten for wearing jewellery, beaten for using copper-brass utensils to fetch water. Not only this, but the untouchables are boycotted. Both casteism and communalism have had a profound effect on people’s minds and morals.

Therefore, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar further examines the concept of Dharma. “I don’t approve of religions that don’t prioritize people,” he says. And since Hinduism does not give priority to the individual, that religion is not acceptable to me. He experienced the bitterness of the caste system in Hindus and criticised it. A religion that gives arms to one and keeps the other unarmed is not a religion but a form of subjugation. Ambedkar had for long been a critic of Hinduism and believed it to be a bigger threat to Indian society.

Why Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar choose Buddhism? Dr. Ambedkar’s conversion to Buddhism was not impulsive. He decided to convert to Buddhism in 1965, convinced that “Buddha’s Dhamma is the best” and that Buddhism was the “most scientific religion. He was also convinced that Buddhism could improve the social status of the country’s oppressed classes. He tells us that religion is for man and not man for religion. If we want to organize, consolidate and be successful in this world, we need to change the religion. We need to get converted. Convert for getting organized, convert for becoming strong, convert for securing equality, convert for getting liberty.
There is need to understand the importance of conversion in the contemporary context. So, conversion day is most important for us to go back to the religious and caste discrimination that the untouchable people faced. We still see that the caste system works in the society.