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Over 3000 Christian schools and colleges, and a few Muslim institutions across Tamil Nadu, remained closed for a day on Friday to protest against the state government's ordinance banning forced conversions.
Minority leaders also observed a daylong fast, which was followed by a rally in Chennai.
Among others, Communist Party of India general secretary A B Bardhan and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief M Karunanidhi attended the rally, which was called by church leaders.
The organisers declared that they would intensify their agitation if the government did not withdraw the ordinance.
Last week, the minorities took out processions in various towns in the state.
Thursday's protests coincided with the commencement of the monsoon session of the assembly.
Speaker K Kalimuthu announced that the assembly would take up the bill replacing the ordinance for discussions on October 31.
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