Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
1 of 6
http://www.rediff.com/news/special/meenakshipuram-33-years-on-musli...
rediff NewsApp
Search
SHOP FOR: Men's Lifestyle Women's Lifestyle Mobiles Electronics Watches Car Accessories Home & Decor Personal Care Books All Categories
Comment
A Ganesh Nadar/Rediff.com visits the village in Tamil Nadu that shot into
national prominence in 1981 when half the Dalits there converted to Islam. He
spoke to the Hindus and Muslims and came back with two very different stories.
n 1981, Meenakshipuram, a small village near Tenkasi in Tamil Nadu's Tirunelveli district,
leapt into the national limelight when half the Dalits there converted from Hinduism to Islam.
Now 33 years later, those who converted to Islam say they are happy, but don't want anyone to
know and those who remained Hindus say they are not and want everyone to know.
In Meenakshipuram you will find neighbours, belonging to different religions, but from the
same family.
Hot! Edgy!
Stunning!
Ranji:
Herwadkar, Iyer
steer Mumbai to
6-wkt win over
Railways
The eldest, who seems around 70, says, "We converted to Islam because there is no social
discrimination and we are all equals. We wanted to be treated as equals and now we are happy
that we chose to convert. We are being treated as equals."
This is what he told Rediff.com:
19-Nov-15 5:47 AM
2 of 6
http://www.rediff.com/news/special/meenakshipuram-33-years-on-musli...
'Paris attack
mastermind may
have committed
suicide,' says
French envoy
ourselves.
When we go outside the village, we don't want to be attacked. I agree that we have never been
attacked for being Muslims. I don't even know if you will write what I tell you or what you
perceive.
10 sportsmen
called to the
Elysian fields
early
Face
consequences if
you go on strike:
Centre to
employees
How does reconversion help? It is a volatile issue. We don't want to talk about it.
How many families live here?
There are 215 families with 860 members. We are farmers. There are a few who own land. We
work in each other's fields even if we own land.
Stars spotted!
What's this?
Met a celebrity?
Email us photos & videos
Add to cart
Add to cart
I know we lost out on reservation, but that doesn't bother us. We don't want reservation. We
are happy to be treated as equals.
What about marriage?
We marry within our religion. Most of the marriages have taken place in and around Tenkasi.
We like our kids to be nearby.
Image, published for representative purposes only.
he Hindu story: 'Nothing has changed for us'
Like the Muslims, the Hindus
also have their village leader
and we are directed to speak
to him.
19-Nov-15 5:47 AM
3 of 6
http://www.rediff.com/news/special/meenakshipuram-33-years-on-musli...
19-Nov-15 5:47 AM
4 of 6
http://www.rediff.com/news/special/meenakshipuram-33-years-on-musli...
Share
Comment
Must See:
STUNNING
Pictures of
Shraddha,
Aishwarya,
Bipasha
It's free!
19-Nov-15 5:47 AM
5 of 6
http://www.rediff.com/news/special/meenakshipuram-33-years-on-musli...
Discussion Board
Write a message
Total 232 messages
How much damage has come to "Hinduism' by deviating the True Barnashram (Casteism) from "Gita / Vedant" to a
wr0ng application by creation of disrespect to the weak sections of the society ????
Which was originally a work demarkation only (in Gita) according to individual capability, we changed it to degrade
lower caste people !!! WHY ???
Which was originally for individuals (like today's exam system), we changed it to 'by birth' ...
Like a Doctor's next generation can be a player or an armyman, G0D never guaranteed a so-called brahomin's next
generation will have aptitude for another brahomin and sudra's son/daughter will not have capability for King !!!
WHY we thought it ? G0D never said so !!!
19-Nov-15 5:47 AM
6 of 6
http://www.rediff.com/news/special/meenakshipuram-33-years-on-musli...
Business email Office email App Domain registration Website Rediffmail Money Company email Online Shopping Books
Gifts
Videos
Blogs
Buzz
2015 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Careers - Feedback - Terms of use
19-Nov-15 5:47 AM