On 14 October, 236 Dalits from Kareha village in Uttar Pradesh converted to Buddhism. The new convertees to Buddhist faith blamed the oppression meted out by upper caste Hindus for their decision. The decision was also prompted after what they term as 'interference' of state to save upper caste perpetrators of Hathras rape case.

After the news of conversion, the UP government claimed that nothing like this has happened and the police has also registered an FIR against the accused for spreading communal hatred against unknown people.