Search Buddhist Channel

Home > Asia Pacific > South Asia > India

India's National Commission for Minorities (NCM) demands reversal of Gujarat Government decision

Zee News, Sept 20, 2006

New Delhi,  India -- A day after Gujarat government passed a controversial amendment to include Jains and Buddhists as part of Hindu community, the move evoked sharp reactions here with national commission for minorities demanding a reversal of the decision and concerned community leaders seeking "freedom of identity".

"The commission would urge the government to re-examine the matter as it effects the rights of a religious minority." NCM officials said adding the commission has already received representations from the Buddhist organisations in the matter.

Describing the passing of the amendment by the Gujarat assembly as a "matter of great concern", the commission demanded an immediate reversal of the decision.

BJP government in Gujarat yesterday passed an amendment in the Gujarat freedom of religion act clubbing Jainism and Buddhism with Hinduism.

Intimidated by the move by Gujarat government, Buddhist parliamentary forum said "Buddhism is one of the great religions of the world and has its adherence in many lands."

"Any move to impinge upon the distinct identity of Buddhism and its adherents would have ramifications that are best avoided" informed Lama Sodpa, leader of the forum, told media persons here.

Calling an emergency meeting on the issue, All India Digambar Jain Mahasabha said it will launch a protest against the move.

"Any government, as per there convenience and agenda cannot afford to curb our right of a religious identity." N K Jain, president of All India Digamber Jain Mahasabha, said.

The Jain Mahasabha has also written a letter to Gujarat Governor Naval Kishore Sharma to intervene in the matter and stop the state government from going ahead with any such move.

All India Confederation of SC/ST organisations has also reacted sharply to the move and has asked the state government to maintain right to religious freedom of an individual.

"Every religion has its distinct identity. Religions like Buddhism and Jainism, have its origin dating back to more than two millennium and this fact can in no way be negated." Confederation chairman Udit Raj said.

Incidently, one such statement by a top RSS leader few years back suggesting Sikhs as a part of the Hindu fold had evoked widespread protest across the country.

We Need Your Help to Train the
Buddhist AI Chat Bot NORBU!
(Neural Operator for Responsible Buddhist Understanding)


For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:

Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB

The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118

Note: Please indicate your name in the payment slip. Thank you.

Dear Friends in the Dharma,

We seek your generous support to help us train NORBU, the word's first Buddhist AI Chat Bot.

Here are some ways you can contribute to this noble cause:

One-time Donation or Loan: A single contribution, regardless of its size, will go a long way in helping us reach our goal and make the Buddhist LLM a beacon of wisdom for all.

How will your donation / loan be used? Download the NORBU White Paper for details.


For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:

Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB

The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118

Note: Please indicate your purpose of payment (loan or donation) in the payment slip. Thank you.

Once payment is banked in, please send the payment slip via email to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv. Your donation/loan will be published and publicly acknowledged on the Buddhist Channel.

Spread the Word: Share this initiative with your friends, family and fellow Dharma enthusiasts. Join "Friends of Norbu" at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/norbuchatbot. Together, we can build a stronger community and create a positive impact on a global scale.

Volunteer: If you possess expertise in AI, natural language processing, Dharma knowledge in terms of Buddhist sutras in various languages or related fields, and wish to lend your skills, please contact us. Your knowledge and passion could be invaluable to our project's success.

Your support is part of a collective effort to preserve and disseminate the profound teachings of Buddhism. By contributing to the NORBU, you become a "virtual Bodhisattva" to make Buddhist wisdom more accessible to seekers worldwide.

Thank you for helping to make NORBU a wise and compassionate Buddhist Chatbot!

May you be blessed with inner peace and wisdom,

With deepest gratitude,

Kooi F. Lim
On behalf of The Buddhist Channel Team


Note: To date, we have received the following contributions for NORBU:
US$ 75 from Gary Gach (Loan)
US$ 50 from Chong Sim Keong
MYR 300 from Wilson Tee
MYR 500 from Lim Yan Pok
MYR 50 from Oon Yeoh
MYR 200 from Ooi Poh Tin
MYR 300 from Lai Swee Pin
MYR 100 from Ong Hooi Sian
MYR 1,000 from Fam Sin Nin
MYR 500 from Oh teik Bin
MYR 300 from Yeoh Ai Guat
MYR 300 from Yong Lily
MYR 50 from Bandar Utama Buddhist Society
MYR 1,000 from Chiam Swee Ann
MYR 1,000 from Lye Veei Chiew
MYR 1,000 from Por Yong Tong
MYR 80 from Lee Wai Yee
MYR 500 from Pek Chee Hen
MYR 300 from Hor Tuck Loon
MYR 1,000 from Wise Payments Malaysia Sdn Bhd
MYR 200 from Teo Yen Hua
MYR 500 from Ng Wee Keat
MYR 10,000 from Chang Quai Hung, Jackie (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from K. C. Lim & Agnes (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from Juin & Jooky Tan (Loan)
MYR 100 from Poh Boon Fong (on behalf of SXI Buddhist Students Society)
MYR 10,000 from Fam Shan-Shan (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from John Fam (Loan)
MYR 500 from Phang Cheng Kar
MYR 100 from Lee Suat Yee
MYR 500 from Teo Chwee Hoon (on behalf of Lai Siow Kee)
MYR 200 from Mak Yuen Chau

We express our deep gratitude for the support and generosity.

If you have any enquiries, please write to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv

The Buddhist Channel © 2023 All Rights Reserved

TOP