How Ambedkar Bridged the Gap Between Religious Identity and Western Modernity Through Buddhism

According to Ambedkar, Buddhism upholds humanism, individual freedom, and a peaceful coexistence, and therefore, is suitable for the modern times

Dusshera is an important festival for the Buddhists in India for a distinct reason. On October 14, 1956, (Dusshera fell on this date that year) Babasaheb Ambedkar along with his six lakh followers embraced Buddhism and initiated a new era of religious revolution.

Dusshera is an important festival for the Buddhists in India for a distinct reason. On October 14, 1956, (Dusshera fell on this date that year) Babasaheb Ambedkar along with his six lakh followers embraced Buddhism and initiated a new era of religious revolution.

Every year, on Dusshera, lakhs of neo-Buddhists assemble at Nagpur’s Deekshabhoomi to commemorate the historic ‘Dhamma Chakra Pravartan’ day and celebrate their newly adorned identity.

Within the realm of social studies, Ambedkar’s decision to adopt Buddhism is often relegated as his desperate act to create a new minority religion for the marginalised social groups. This is a petty and cursory remark as Ambedkar’s act for religious conversion created a bridging dialogue between modernity and tradition and suggested why substantive ethical foundations are a prerequisite to building a new society.