Coimbatore: "Enough is enough. No more can we live without self respect. And, that's the core thing that drove us to convert to Islam", says a Dalit belonging to Arundhathiyar Community who is one among the 480 Hindu Dalits from Coimbatore district who have embraced to Islam, recently.
Coimbatore: "Enough is enough. No more can we live without self respect. And, that's the core thing that drove us to convert to Islam", says a Dalit belonging to Arundhathiyar Community who is one among the 480 Hindu Dalits from Coimbatore district who have embraced to Islam, recently.
Seconding his statement, a senior member of a Dalit Outfit claims that 480 people of Arundhadhiyar Community from Coimbatore district have converted to Islam.
"The height of atrocities these people are subjected to on a daily basis for generations together is the core reason behind this path-breaking decision", says Ilavenil, State Secretary of Tamil Puligal, a Dalit outfit.
While it was speculated that the Dalit outfit's announcement of over 3000 Dalits converting to Islam came after the gruesome death of 17 Dalits in Nadur village in Mettupalayam, Illavenil clarified that the incident at Nadur was just a trigger for the announcement but its years of oppression and abuse that provoked us to arrive at this decision.
Ilavenil who himself is a convert stated, "People who opted for conversion to Islam are tired of fighting to lead a dignified life which they have been denied for generations. All they longed for is a life with self respect and to be treated at oar with their fellow human beings. Mettupayam incident was just a trigger, this anger and decision is the outcome of oppression for ages."
On December 2, the compound wall, allege to be an 'untouchability wall' of a caste Hindu collapsed on the hutments of the Dalits in Nadur Village in Mettupalayam killing them during sleep. Following which the Tamil Puligal made a statement that 3000 people belonging to Arundhathiyar Community will convert to Islam in January 2020. Widespread protests were staged by the organisation to book the Caste Hindu under Prevention of Atrocities Act.
In the protests, the outfits leader Nagai Thiruvalluvan was arrested and was imprisoned for nearly 45 days.
"So far 480 people have converted to Islam and have given signed affidavits", claims the Spokesperson of Tamil Puligal party who added that many others across the state have expressed their consent to convert to Islam.
The affidavits carry statements that reads "For all this while, myself and my family have been Hindus. We have no hatred towards Hinduism. In the past three years, I've developed an interest towards Islam and decided to embrace the religion. My conversion to Islam is based on my own willingness and no one influenced me to this decision."
Though legally the process would be complete after getting notified in the gazette, the Hindus converted to Islam feel that since they have already embraced Islam, the legal approval is just a process.
The Spokesperson of Tamil Puligal accuse that the adminstrative machinery has been doing everything possible to hinder the conversion process. Inquiries has been intiated against many who have applied to get their conversion registered in the gazette.
Unfazed by the legal hazzles, a majority of them have started offering prayers at mosques. "For the first time in my life, I have offered prayers along with others. For the first time, our family was invited for lunch. For the first time, we have hosted guests in our home. For the first time, I feel am a human at par with others", shares Abdul Malik in an emotional tone.
Recalling the bitter past, Abdul says "The feeling of being oppressed and secluded from the society is a feeling only a Daily can understand. For generations, we were not allowed to walk in the streets dominated by caste Hindus. We cannot enter their houses. Even at temple festivities there is a long list of do's and dont's that we have to follow."
While Abdul listed out the discriminations in the society, Abdullah another Dalit who has embraced Islam alleges of the discriminations faced by Dalits at work place. "Just by seeing our applications we are denied jobs. If the employer sees Periyar/Ambedkar Colony in the address column, they are skeptical. Though not directly, they inquire to us to find out if we are a Dalit. If yes, they would be no call from the employer."
"Now, my resume would read as Abdullah, a Muslim. No one would ask my identify", said Abdullah (26) who converted to Islam in January.
"This act of conversion to Islam has out an end to all the humiliations and social I justice meted on us. Reservations and welfare measures for the Dalits do not stand a chance before self respect", slammed another Dalit converted to Islam who requests anonymity.
According to a co-ordinator of All Jamaats Federation, "We were shocked of the announcement stating 3000 Hindus Dalits have opted to convert to Islam. We in fact advised them to reconsider the decision, as rage should not be the reason for conversion. Many mosques in the district have confirmed of the ney converted members visiting the mosque and offering prayers."
The co-ordinator reitrated that their choice of embracing Islam was not influenced. Its their personal choice, he added.
The Spokesperson from Tamil Puligal added that more people across the State will convert to Islam in the coming days. "Hinduism failed to protect our dignity and self respect. The atrocities against the oppressed sees no light", he opined.