A Tamil Nadu MP has a Ph.D. in conversions and all of the sudden so many questions come to thoughts

The situation of spiritual conversion in India is curiously extra political than non secular. There is one narrative that’s continuously pushed in India’s political discourse – conversion of Hindu Dalits to different religions as a method of upward mobility. This narrative is used to justify and promote non secular conversions in lots of circumstances.Take the case of Thol. Thirumavalavan, President of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK). The VCK, earlier often known as Dalit Panthers of India or the Dalit Panthers Iyyakkam, actively opposes caste-based discrimination within the state of Tamil Nadu and likewise carries trappings of Tamil nationalism. In 2019, Thirumavalavan was conferred a doctorate for analysis on the subject, “Religious conversion of Meenakshipuram Dalits – a victimological study” by the Manonmaniam Sundaranar University. Thirumavalavan’s official Twitter deal with too mentions the stated doctorate.This raises an essential query – VCK is part of the UPA in Tamil Nadu. So, does it consider in mass conversions and does it consider that selling them will assist in social mobility of the Dalits? Moreover, the M.S. University was established by the state of Tamil Nadu.The non secular conversion at MeenakshipuramThirumavalavan was granted a Ph.D. in particular person two years in the past by the Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, from the state governor and chancellor of the college, Banwarilal Purohit himself. However, the incident about which he wrote his PhD thesis is sort of 4 many years outdated.Also learn: ‘Forced religious conversions of Tribals,’ MHA cancels FCRA license of 13 NGOs, freezes their financial institution accountsA mass conversion of Dalits to Islam at Meenakshipuram in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu in 1981 had then shocked the nation. Hundreds of Dalits had been transformed to Islam on this incident and an India Today report positioned the variety of convertees at 1,100.India Today had additionally reported, “Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran and many of his colleagues have been openly referring to the use of massive money from outside the state as the main force behind the conversions.”Thirumavalavan’s thesisThe VCK President denied the allegation that the Meenakshipuram conversions had the backing of some Islamic nations. Thirumavalavan stated that together with an affected Dalit youth, “180 families of Meenakshipuram embraced Islam as they believed that at least the new religion would ensure much-needed self respect for them. Though this mass conversion had not ushered in fortunes for them, they could, after embracing Islam, at least start an eatery, a shop or a teashop right on the main road, or go to the Gulf in search of a job. Hence, it (the religious conversion) had given them economic independence and ensured self-respect.”Also learn: Forced conversions, murders, anti-CAA violence: Radical Islamist outfit PFI should be banned nowThe VCK President additionally claimed that conversion to Islam boosted the social mobility of the Dalits within the village the place the incident passed off. He added, “Dalits in other parts of the country have experienced economic empowerment. Though they face discrimination on a regular basis, many do not nurture the idea of conversion. That is why I have come to the conclusion that State oppression was the major factor that drove Meenakshipuram conversions.”Evidently, there are better questions of societal significance concerned. How can it’s established that conversion to Islam helped in social mobility? After all, Islam in India additionally has options of casteism identical to Hinduism. So, does conversion actually result in social mobility? And lastly, is there any dependable cause-and-effect relationship to uphold such findings in all circumstances of conversions?Allegations of use of moneyWhile Thirumavalavan claims that cash was not the only issue instigating Meenakshipuram conversions, tall leaders like former Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee who had visited Meenakshipuram, former Tamil Nadu CM M.G.Ramachandran and even organisations like Arya Samaj had alleged that cash was used to transform Dalits to Islam.Religious conversions could also be a politically contentious matter. But the authorized place round it’s fairly clear. In 1977 itself, the Supreme Court had held that the best to freedom of faith doesn’t embrace the best to transform one other particular person to at least one’s personal faith. The Supreme Court had noticed, “What is freedom for one, is freedom for the other, in equal measure, and there can therefore be no such thing as a fundamental right to convert any person to one’s own religion.”Also learn: CM Yogi is all set to crack down on Love Jihad with an ordinance to cease compelled conversionsThere is clearly an try and push the discourse of justifying non secular conversions on the allegation of oppression of Dalits within the nation. And even instructional establishments and educational analysis can be utilized to advertise the narrative. However, this raises some actually essential questions together with the flexibility of universities to distance themselves from such politically and socially delicate points.