Sun Apr 13 20:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Ambedkar’s Conversion to Buddhism: A 134th Birth Anniversary Reflection

**NEW DELHI** – Today marks the 134th birth anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, a pivotal figure in Indian history. His famous declaration at the age of 44 – “I was born a Hindu, but I will not die a Hindu” – is once again in the spotlight. Recent parliamentary debates surrounding the Waqf Amendment Bill have seen several MPs cite Ambedkar while discussing the rights of Muslims, prompting renewed interest in his thoughts on Islam and his eventual conversion to Buddhism.

While Ambedkar initially considered converting to Islam, after two decades of study, he ultimately chose Buddhism. A detailed examination of his reasoning behind this decision and his views on Islam will be explored in a forthcoming report. This anniversary also coincides with ongoing discussions about the partition of India in 1947, and the reasons why a significant portion of the Muslim population remained in India. The lingering questions about this historical event and its relevance to contemporary issues surrounding the Waqf Bill continue to fuel public debate.

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