"Untouchables" Convert To Protest Anti-Conversion Laws

In the city of Nagpur, India this week end, 9000 Dalits (low-caste Hindus) converted to Buddhism and 500 converted to Christianity-- to protest anti-conversion laws that have been enacted by a number of Indian states. Catholic News reports that the ceremony marked the 50th anniversary of the conversion to Buddhism of Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, a Dalit who drafted India's current constitution.