SaralnamaB R Ambedkar converted to Buddhism on in Nagpur. 3 lakh people attended the event. Ambedkar took 22 vows and rejected Hinduism. He chose Nagpur for its Nag people history. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh recently acknowledged this event. It shows a shift in Congress stance. Earlier, PM Nehru was silent on Ambedkar's conversion. Hindutva leader Savarkar criticized Ambedkar's move. Ambedkar defended his choice in his Marathi periodical. He urged people to spread Buddhism in India. The conversion shaped India's socio-political landscape. (Updated 16 Oct 2025, 16:15 IST; source: link)
Key Points
- B R Ambedkar converted to Buddhism on 14 Oct 1956 in Nagpur
- 3 lakh people attended the event
- Ambedkar took 22 vows and rejected Hinduism