"We are serious about it," Selvam said, adding that a final decision will be taken by party chief Thirumavalavan, who is currently on a visit to Sri Lanka.

Thirumavalavan has opposed the anti-conversion ordinance, as he feels it would hinder Dalit emancipation. "We will fight it tooth and nail, and even if violence erupts in the process, we will not backtrack till the ordinance is summarily withdrawn," he said.

Selvam said that the party has planned a massive procession in Kancheepuram district in November first week to focus attention on atrocities against Dailts.

Dalits in Kootharapakkam village in Kancheepuram have threatened to convert to Islam if they were not allowed entry into the village temple. "The Dalits have refused the Kanchi Shankaracharya's offer to build a separate temple for them. We are ready to accept separate temple, separate tank, but also give us separate vote, and separate budget," said Selvam.

The anti-conversion ordinance seems to have triggered a Dalit backlash and a volley of conversion threats is being reported in the State.

A few days ago, two Dalit outfits had declared that ten thousand Dalits would embrace Buddhism on Ambedkar's death anniversary on December 6. At the anti-conversion meeting in Chennai on October 24, where major Opposition leaders participated, Puthiya Thamizhagam chief Krishnasamy said that two crore Dalits would renounce the Hindu faith if the ordinance was not withdrawn.

Meanwhile, Christian and Muslim leaders have reacted cautiously to the developments. Rev. V Devasahayam, Bishop, the Church of South India, said that anyone who wanted to embrace the Christian faith voluntarily was welcome into the fold.

"But we have to first tell them what Christian faith stands for, so that Christianity is seen not simply as an escape from social slavery, but also as a way of (spiritual) salvation for them," the Bishop said.

"If someone wants to embrace Islam, they are always welcome. But the conversion should not be used to threaten some one. It is not good," said Dr K V S Habeeb Muhammed, Joint Secretary, Islamic Foundation Trust.