Conversion no solution

Sir, - Apropos the article `They have only their chains to lose' (Nov. 11), I do not think that the Dalits stand to gain anything by embracing Buddhism or any other religion for that matter. The fact is that even after conversion, the Dalits are branded `Christian Dalits' `Buddhist Dalits' and so on.

If the Dalits opt for conversion because religions like Buddhism, Christianity and Islam do not place any restrictions on becoming a priest, they are once again wrong. Priesthood will neither guarantee a Dalit immediate social equality nor will it ensure the removal of centuries-old casteist mindset. The right thing for them to do is to build public opinion against casteism and fight for the right to equality.

Raghav Venkatesh,

Gulbarga

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