Rohith Vemula's mother, brother to embrace Buddhism today

Mumbai: The family of Dalith research scholar Rohith Vemula, whose suicide at Hyderbad Central University in January created a firestorm of protest, would be converting to Buddhism here today Babasaheb Ambedkar's grandson Prakash Ambedkar said here on Wednesday.

Today is the 125th birth anniversary of Ambedkar, the Dalit icon and the principal architect of the Indian Constitution.

Rohith's mother and brother will be given "deeksha" by Buddhist monks, Prakash Ambedkar, a former MP, said.

The ceremony will be held at noon at Ambedkar Bhavan in Dadar here, he said.

"We have organised the deeksha ceremony as the family approached us," he added.

When contacted, Rohith's younger brother Raja Vemula said "it is true that we are going to embrace Buddhism. We are on the way to Mumbai."