Odisha Congress MLA Krushna Chandra Sagaria embraces Buddhism

Bhubaneswar: Congress MLA from Odisha’s Koraput district Krushna Chandra Sagaria along with his family members formally embraced Buddhism on Sunday.

Sources said the lawmaker, his entire family, including three brothers, formally converted to Buddhism at a special function held at Burja village under Laxmipur block of Koraput district.

Around 100 villagers also were converted to Buddhism, sources added.

A two-day function was held in the MLA’s village on Saturday and Sunday for the purpose.

Sagaria has filed an affidavit in this regard before Executive Magistrate, Koraput before embracing Buddhism. Four monks converted the MLA, his family members and villagers into Buddhism.

“I shall follow all the procedure for conversion as required by the Rules of the Odisha Freedom of Religion Rules 1989,” he also stated in the affidavit.

Buddhism preaches wisdom, friendship and equality, Sagaria said, adding that Babasaheb Ambedkar had said that “if you want to establish equality in society and acquire erudition then you should adopt Buddhism”.