1981 Meenakshipuram conversion

The 1981 Meenakshipuram conversion refers to a significant religious and sociopolitical event in India, where a large number of lower-caste Hindus, predominantly from the Paraiyar community in the village of Meenakshipuram, Tamil Nadu, converted to Islam. Initiated on January 5, 1981, the conversion was catalyzed by perceived social injustices, caste discrimination, and the quest for socio-economic upliftment. Prominent Muslim leaders, including M. R. Mehta, facilitated the process, leading to widespread media attention and communal tensions. The event sparked debates on religious identity, caste dynamics, and secularism in India, influencing both regional and national discourse on conversion and communal harmony.