Dear Mr. Venkitesh, Yes you gave the example of Pakistan and Bangladesh. I think these countries born out of communal tension and the mind set continues still. Regarding TN, though Hindus are in majority, tension is less. The villages I mentioned were Muslim majority villages, where still communal harmony is maintained even today. My point of stress is that the assimilation and integration is stronger, especially among the Tamil Muslims and the tension is lesser. In another case, Pattani (Pathan version) Muslims have lesser integration and assimilation with other groups and they strongly follow the Burdha system. Though I have many good friends in Kazimar Street of Madurai, still Muslims in that area have different mind set. They live as a separate entity. The film director Amir and the karate film personality Hussain are from this place. As compare to Tamil Muslims, the assimilation process took little effect with this group.
Even there is caste/ group system among the Muslims in Tamilnadu. The Pathan Muslims are superior to Rauthar or lebbai Muslims, as per the caste hierarchy. Some times communal tension happens not because of religious reasons, due to business rivals and personal reasons. May be appropriate analysis of villages having Muslim majority with other majority villages in South and North Tamilnadu may throw more light on communal harmony. BP Thiagarajan
