Dalits and Their Conversion to Islam: An Analytical Study of The Event in Meenakshipuram

Abstract

This research is focusing on a new development that is leading to modern reforms in Hinduism. It discusses an important part of contemporary Hindu-Muslim relations. Dalit outcastes are enthusiastically distancing themselves from Brahmanism or existing Hinduism due to its caste system as it ritualistically considers them impure, even though they are not allowed to enter the temple. Resultantly, their mass conversion to Christianity, Buddhism and Islam has been evidently witnessed for the last three centuries. This study is centred around such an event that represents the mass conversion of Dalits to Islam. It generally highlights the doctrinal status of the outcaste in Hinduism, elaborates on the conversion of Meenakshipuram’s residents and dilates upon the later consequences they encountered. This religious phenomenon resulted in the detachment of some great Hindu scholars from the caste order and its discriminative practices.