Over 430 Dalits convert to Islam in Southern India
New Delhi: Complaining about discrimination from the authorities in the Southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, about 3,000 Dalits in a small village near Coimbatore, had on January 5 announced their intention to convert to Islam in phases.
Illavenil, the State Secretary of the Tamil Puligal Katchi, a pro-Dalit organisation told India Today that about 430 people have legally converted to Islam and many more to follow.
The decision to become Muslims was taken following the wall collapse incident that took place on December 2 due to incessant rains.
They said that police are not taking action against the owner of the house as per the provisions of the SC/ST atrocities act.
“We converted to Islam all because of the prevailing caste injustice and untouchability. We can’t sit with other people equally in the government bus. Only the Muslim brothers stood with us and protested for us. Our Muslim brothers invite us to their houses. We could enter any mosque though, said People, converted to Islam soon after the December 2 event.
