The Dalit families, who have been protesting after being denied permission to attend a temple festival in Tamil Nadu’s Karur region, on Thursday threatened to convert to Islam.
Over 200 Dalit families have alleged that they were even denied the right to conduct the festival. They have also expressed strong disappointment for being barred from entering the Mahasakhthi Amman temple in their locality.
“If such discrimination continues then we will be forced to convert to Islam, no one is addressing our problems,” said Geeta, one of the protestors.
Meanwhile, several Dalit families have returned their Voter IDs and Aadhar cards in protest.
According to reports, the volunteers of the Tamil Nadu Towheed Jamaat (TNTJ) have also distributed copies of the Quran in the village. Reports state that six Dalit Hindus from the village have already embraced Islam.
Some right wing groups and Christian missionaries are also said to be active in the region.
ANI