More than 1,000 nomadic tribal families from India's lowest castes are gathering in Mumbai to convert to Buddhism in an attempt to lift themselves out of poverty.
Many of the families who gathered on Sunday say the Indian caste system, which categorises Hindus into a system of social classes, has left them in extreme poverty.
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Rajesh Sundaram, Al Jazeera's correspondent in Mumbai, said that up to 25,000 people will be converted - the biggest mass conversion to take place in more than 50 years.
"Embracing Buddhism will give them a new identity and will give families a better chance to educate their children," he said.
He said most of the people are from the 42 most marginalised tribes and have travelled 100km to be in Mumbai.
Many of these tribes were classified as "criminal" under British colonial rule. Despite the removal of this status, many of these tribes say prejudice still exists.
Many have not been able to get the benefits of affirmative action - a government policy which reserves jobs and educational places for India's lower castes - which the constitution of India guarantees.
Many of the tribes say the mass conversion is also a mark of protest against the Hindu caste system which has induced their social ostracism.