Mangaluru: As many as 12 Hindus from five Dalit families in Kadaba taluk, embraced Buddhism on Thursday. Dakshina Kannada district Buddhist Mahasabha Bhanteji and Sugatapala Bhanteji of Mysuru Jetavana Budda Vihara performed the Buddhist initiation ritual.

The induction programme was organised by Dalit Sangharsha Samiti Puttur taluk Organising Convener Anand Mittabail and was held during a housewarming ceremony of ‘Maitri Vihara’ of Puttanna in Totantila in Alankaru village near Kadaba taluk.

Anand Mittabail, Totantila Puttanna, Ganesh Kayarpadi, Vishwanath, Satish Ramakunja, Sushila, Nayana Kumar, Namita, Prema, Harisha, Suhsila and Manoj Kumar embraced Buddhism.

Speaking on the occasion, Anand Mittabail said that Dalits feel religiously orphaned and have thus embraced Buddhism to follow the model of Dr B R Ambedkar.

Those who have embraced Buddhism will strive to realise Ambedkar’s dream by following his ideals, he said and added that many more will be inducted in the days to come.