Since 1981 a great deal has been written on the matter of conversions and the politicization of religions in India, including several books and many articles in journals, weekly magazines, and daily newspapers. Several case studies also have been published. A full documentation is difficult at this stage. Attention is here drawn to some published material that may be useful in reflection on this matter at the moment.
2.
BanerjiBrojendra Nath. Religious Conversions in India. New Delhi: Harnam Publications, 1982. In addition to chapters on conversion it has a number of appendices, including the text of the Freedom of Religion bill (1980) and statements by a number of Christians leaders.
3.
MathewGeorge. “Politicisation of Religion,”Economic and Political Weekly (New Delhi), vol. 17, no. 25 (June 19, 1982) pp. 1027ff., and no. 26 (June 26, 1982), pp. 1068ff. This outstanding two-part article analyzes the historical background, gives a brief description of what happened at Meenakshipuram, and suggests a balanced interpretation of the political effects of conversions on the life of the country.
4.
India Today, vol. 8, no. 5 (March 1–15, 1983). See especially a short article, (pp. 154ff.) by ChellappaRaj, “Keeping the Faith,” about a visit (1983) to Meenakshipuram.
5.
MANTHAN (1982) a thematic quarterly: (Publications Division, Deendayal Research Institute, 7-E Swami Ramthirth Nagar, New Delhi). A three-part study of the politics of conversion.
6.
Seminar Annual, January 1982 (Malhotra Building, P.O. Box 338, New Delhi). The issue is devoted to the subject of conversion.
7.
“Tamil Nadu Conversions to Islam,”Religion and Society (Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society, Bangalore), vol. 28, no. 4 (December 1981). Contains case studies, sociological analyses, and discussion on conversions as social protests. Includes an excellent article by a Muslim scholar, Professor Mumtaz Ali Khan of Bangalore.
