Manglore: Udupi Pejawar Mutt seer, Swami Vishwesha Tirtha, has asked Dalits all over the country on Tuesday here that they should fight for dignity, as urged by Dr. Ambedkar, but staying in on as Hindus, and not getting converted to another religion.

He was speaking at a book release programme on social revolutionary Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, organised by Mangalore Citizens Council and Bangalore Rashtrothan Sahitya Book Trust, on Tuesday.

Pejawr Mutt seer noted that a lot of social changes have taken place in India ever since Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Ambedkar faught against the evils of apartheid in India leading to temple boycott of Dalits. Just for the sake of an evil practice of social apartheid, Dalits should not desert Hinduism, he preached.

Social Welfare minister Narayana Swamy, releasing the book on Babasaheb Ambedkar’s social thoughts pointed out that much remained to be done in Dalit Colonies of Chitra durga Raichur and other districts. But Dalits could still be saved by other Hindus.

Dr. K. Abhay Kumar of MU presided. Dr. G.B. Harish, Dr. Vaman Shenai Justice B. Malli were guests of honour. Translator chandrashekhar Bhandary was felicitated.

Bhaskar Devasya welcomed. It was noted that no Math chief responded to neo-Buddhism adopted by Dr. Ambedkar, to shun untouchability.