Search Buddhist Channel
Anger over Gujarat religion law
By Rajeev Khanna, BBC News, Sept 20, 2006
Buddhism will be seen by Gujarat as part of the Hindu religion
Ahmedabad, Gujarat (India) -- Christians and Muslims in the western Indian state of Gujarat have expressed resentment over an amendment in the law relating to religious conversions.
<< Head shaving as part of religious conversion in Tamil Nadu
They say that moves by the state government to classify Buddhism and Jainism as branches of the Hindu religion are unconstitutional.
Christians and Muslims have accused the authorities of trying to polarise the state along religious lines.
But backers of the amendment say it will protect low caste Hindus.
People convicted of carrying out conversions using allurement or force face lengthy prison terms and fines.
'Inter-denominational conversions'
They say that such groups are vulnerable to exploitation and pressure for them to convert, which is undermining India's Hindu culture.
Under the Indian constitution, Buddhism and Jainism are classified as separate religions.
The government is accused of trying to preserve its vote bank
But under the terms of the amendment passed by the right-wing Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Gujarat government on Tuesday, both are classified as part of the Hindu religion.
That means that Buddhists and Jains will not need official permission to change religion, because it would be deemed to be an "inter-denomination conversion".
Gujarat's Law Minister, Ashok Bhatt, said the amendment was introduced because the constitutional definition of the term ''convert'' is too vague, and does not specifically mention a particular religious denomination.
However, the leader of the state's opposition Congress party said the Gujarat government was using religion as a "tool" to maintain its bedrock of votes.
'Enticements'
The government's critics say it wants to ensure that low caste Hindus - known as Dalits - do not embrace Christianity or Islam and therefore be less inclined to vote for the BJP.
A man walks past the debris of the riot
Religious riots in 2002 devastated parts of Gujarat
Other states in India - including Tamil Nadu hand Rajasthan - have also drafted laws preventing religious conversions, but none has introduced an amendment similar to that passed by Gujarat.
Conversions are a contentious issue in the state, particularly in tribal belts where the BJP and other right wing parties have accused Christian missionaries of offering enticements for people to change religion.
Christian groups have denied the charges.
It is estimated that Christians constitute less than 0.5% of Gujarat's population, whereas about 85% of the state are Hindus. Muslims in the state account for around 14% of the total population.
The Freedom of Religion Act in Gujarat was passed in 2003, but has not yet been implemented by the government.
Buddhist AI Chat Bot NORBU!
(Neural Omniscient Robotic-Being for Buddhist Understanding)
For Malaysians
who wants to donate in MYR, please use the following account:Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB
Note: Please indicate your name in the payment slip. Thank you.
Dear Friends in the Dharma,
We seek your generous support to help us train NORBU, the word's first Buddhist AI Chat Bot.
Here are some ways you can contribute to this noble cause:
One-time Donation or Loan: A single contribution, regardless of its size, will go a long way in helping us reach our goal and make the Buddhist LLM a beacon of wisdom for all.
How will your donation / loan be used? Download the NORBU White Paper for details.
For Malaysians
who wants to donate in MYR, please use the following account:Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB
Note: Please indicate your purpose of payment (loan or donation) in the payment slip. Thank you.
Once payment is banked in, please send the payment slip via email to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv. Your donation/loan will be published and publicly acknowledged on the Buddhist Channel.
Spread the Word: Share this initiative with your friends, family and fellow Dharma enthusiasts. Join "Friends of Norbu" at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/norbuchatbot. Together, we can build a stronger community and create a positive impact on a global scale.
Volunteer: If you possess expertise in AI, natural language processing, Dharma knowledge in terms of Buddhist sutras in various languages or related fields, and wish to lend your skills, please contact us. Your knowledge and passion could be invaluable to our project's success.
Your support is part of a collective effort to preserve and disseminate the profound teachings of Buddhism. By contributing to the NORBU, you become a "virtual Bodhisattva" to make Buddhist wisdom more accessible to seekers worldwide.
Thank you for helping to make NORBU a wise and compassionate Buddhist Chatbot!
May you be blessed with inner peace and wisdom,
With deepest gratitude,
Kooi F. Lim
On behalf of The Buddhist Channel Team
Note: To date, we have received the following contributions for NORBU:
US$ 75 from Gary Gach (Loan)
US$ 50 from Chong Sim Keong
MYR 300 from Wilson Tee
MYR 500 from Lim Yan Pok
MYR 50 from Oon Yeoh
MYR 200 from Ooi Poh Tin
MYR 300 from Lai Swee Pin
MYR 100 from Ong Hooi Sian
MYR 1,000 from Fam Sin Nin
MYR 500 from Oh teik Bin
MYR 300 from Yeoh Ai Guat
MYR 300 from Yong Lily
MYR 50 from Bandar Utama Buddhist Society
MYR 1,000 from Chiam Swee Ann
MYR 1,000 from Lye Veei Chiew
MYR 1,000 from Por Yong Tong
MYR 80 from Lee Wai Yee
MYR 500 from Pek Chee Hen
MYR 300 from Hor Tuck Loon
MYR 1,000 from Wise Payments Malaysia Sdn Bhd
MYR 200 from Teo Yen Hua
MYR 500 from Ng Wee Keat
MYR 10,000 from Chang Quai Hung, Jackie (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from K. C. Lim & Agnes (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from Juin & Jooky Tan (Loan)
MYR 100 from Poh Boon Fong (on behalf of SXI Buddhist Students Society)
MYR 10,000 from Fam Shan-Shan (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from John Fam (Loan)
MYR 500 from Phang Cheng Kar
MYR 100 from Lee Suat Yee
MYR 500 from Teo Chwee Hoon (on behalf of Lai Siow Kee)
MYR 200 from Mak Yuen Chau
We express our deep gratitude for the support and generosity.
If you have any enquiries, please write to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv