Buddhism separate religion, Hindus need prior permission to convert: Gujarat govt

Gujarat government has issued an order that conversions from Hinduism to Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism will require prior approval from respective district magistrates.

The order came a week after it issued a circular declaring Buddhism as a distinct religion under the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act, 2003.

The circular was issued by the Home Department on April 8 after it was apprised of instances of district magistrates and autonomous bodies arbitrarily interpreting the rule.

"It has come to notice that in applications seeking permission for conversion from Hinduism to Buddhism, procedure as per rules are not being followed. Moreover, sometimes, representations are being received from applicants and autonomous bodies that for religious conversion from Hinduism to Buddhism, prior permission is not required,” it said, according to Indian Express newspaper.

“In cases where applications are filed seeking prior permission, concerned offices are disposing such applications while stating that under Article 25(2) of the Constitution, Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism are included within Hinduism and so the applicant is not required to take permission for (such) religious conversion,” the circular stated.

“It is possible that the replies given to applicants in sensitive subject like religious conversion without sufficient study of legal provisions can result in judicial litigations,” it added.

The circular mentioned that “with reference to Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act, Buddhism will have to be considered a separate religion”.

It said that as per the Act, the person who is getting another to convert from Hinduism to Buddhism/Sikhism/Jainism will have to take prior permission of the district magistrate in a prescribed format. Also, the person who is converting will have to inform the district magistrate in a prescribed format.

It further instructed the district magistrates to decide application of religious conversion after detailed study of the legal provisions and by following instructions issued by the state government time to time.

Notably, it has been observed that Dalits in Gujarat convert to Buddhism en masse every year during events organised on occasions such as Dussehra and other festivals.

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