At least five lakh people from the other backward classes (OBC) have decided to convert to Buddhism from Hinduism in Nagpur in 2016. This indeed is a major setback for the RSS and its affiliated organisations who, through their Ghar Wapsi drive, have started reconverting people to Hinduism who embraced other religions.

If the Satyashodhak OBC Parishad is to be believed, the other backward classes have no respectable space in Hinduism. "We were treated as Shudhras in spite of being in Hinduism for a long time. So, we felt that it is better to go back to our original religion — Buddhism. OBCs are Nagvanshi and so Buddhism is our real religion. We want to do our Ghar Wapsi by embracing Buddhism," said Hanumant Upre, the Parishad's president.

At least five crore of Maharashtra's 12 crore population are from other backward classes. Stating that religion is for them and they are not for religion, Upre said: "Religion is like a home, where we all should be treated equally and respectfully. However, we were treated badly and in the religious texts too we were given bad names. There is no point staying in this home. Therefore, we had launched our Ghar Wapsi mission in 2011. By 2016, five lakh other backward class people and even people from some castes will embrace Buddhism. And many more will follow in future."

He added that registration for this mass conversion has already started.

The OBC people believed that the caste system would be abolished after Independence. "In reality, it is very rigid and there is no hope of that. We are mental slaves of this religion. The upper caste Hindus have kept this caste system alive and so we will always remain poor and deprived," Upre said.

Pravin Gaikwad, president of Sambhaji Brigade, which is affiliated to Maratha Seva Sangh, has welcomed Upre's decision. "Philosophically, Buddhism is one of the best religions in the world to follow. Here, you accept the things on the basis logic and arguments. You are allowed to think scientifically and if you are not convinced with any idea, then you can reject them. Such freedom and liberty is not available in Islam, Hinduism and Christianity.

But rather than going from one religion to another, we should focus on adopting India as our religion and the Constitution our religious scripture. Only when this happens, India will be a progressive country and our society will be at peace," Gaikawad said.

Gaikwad added that in the 21st century religion has no room and scope. "Scientific thoughts should be propagated. RSS has started the Ghar Wapsi drive, but in which class and caste will these people be placed? Such things should be answered before bringing them back to Hinduism. Actually, we should abandon these outdated concepts of religion," Gaikwad said.

VHP spokesperson Venkatesh Apdeo, however, said that there is no difference between Hinduism and Buddhism. "We have no issue with the OBC people embracing Buddhism. The philosophy of both the religions is one," he said.