India's dalits were out in force on the streets of Delhi on November 4, as many thousands met to embrace Buddhism in a mass conversion ceremony.

The event, which attracted significant police opposition, represented the rejection by the dalits - also known as the untouchables - of the Hindu caste system, which has oppressed them for centuries. In observance of the Biblical mandate to "set the oppressed free", Christian leaders stood in solidarity with the poor and downtrodden.

A number of international observers, including representatives from Christian Solidarity Worldwide, were there to offer support.

Participants were invited to shave their heads, adopt a new name and destroy their idols. Dalit leader, Ram Raj, became Udit Raj under the watchful eye of thousands of supportive dalits.

Many followed his example, although Udit openly spoke of their right to choose any religion. Buddhism has been the most popular initial choice of most as it does not totally jeopardise their rights to reserved employment and education. This is not the case for Christian and Muslim dalits who, in addition to a loss of all these rights, can also suffer persecution at the hands of Hindu militants in the country.

The All India Christian Council (AICC) has been notable in its support of this event, which has also recently received backing from the Roman Catholic's Bishops Conference and the National Council of Churches of India. Speaking from the platform, AICC President Joseph D'Souza affirmed Christ's love for the dalits and expressed the total support of the church body. Whilst the event was advertised as a Buddhist event, it has opened the door for conversions to other faiths.

AICC Secretary General, John Dayal added: "The dalits have never been treated as human beings - their demand for human dignity is a revolution."

Perhaps mindful of this, police opposition was clear. Their permission was withdrawn just 48 hours before the start and organisers were forced to change location. Many tens of thousands of would be participants were turned away as they attempted to board buses and trains outside of Delhi, some were reported to have been arrested and falsified posters announced that the event had been cancelled. However the event passed peaceably at Ambedkar House, named after the man who led a similar conversion event in 1956. An estimated 20,000 later marched to the original event location.

Support was strong from both Indian nationals and a handful of international observers. Stuart Windsor, CSW's National Director who was attending the event with Advocacy Director, Tina Lambert, remarked: "On the day that we remembered the persecuted church around the world, it was a privilege to be with the poor and oppressed of India and to offer our solidarity to them in their struggle for basic dignity and human rights."

Tina Lambert added: "This event was as political as it was religious and could be just the beginning of an incredible movement to challenge the caste system and offer hope to the poor and oppressed in India."