Quiet dalit conversions on in TN

Over the last eight years around 300 dalits in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu have converted to Islam.

The conversions, done over a longer period, was allegedly planned by an extreme Muslim group in Tamil Nadu. This is a slower example of the large-scale conversions in Meenakshipuram that caught public attention 15 years ago. In that case, all the dalits of a village had converted to Islam.

The current conversions, in Thathuvanchery, Pattam, Avaniyal Puram, Chikkal Nayakkan Pettai, Thurpananthal, Kovil Sannapuram and Nachiyarkovil allegedly planned by an extreme Muslim group, have been straggled over time to avoid drawing public attention. The dalits have been promised better social status and money.

T M Mani, dalit leader and founder of the Ambedkar Manavar Illaingyar Peravai, claimed the government was the cause for the current crop of conversions. He himself found no reason to censure such conversions since, despite promises made by politicians, the dalits have remained in a pitiable condition, remaining at the mercy of upper caste aggressors. He cited the system of two sets of glasses -- one for the dalits, one for the upper castes -- being maintained in tea shops in Puthur in the Thirupananthal area even today.

More such conversions, he warned, would occur unless the government took quick steps to wipe out untouchability.