Former MP, Senior Congress leader and now chairman of Tamil Nadu Minority Commission S Peter Alphonse, declared from the St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican that in the guise of promoting Tamil, DMK’s only agenda was to increase Christian missionaries and destroy Hinduism in the name of Tamil. Tamil Nadu CM sends a special delegation to represent the state in the Vatican. Ironically Chief Minister Stalin and his ministers had boycotted the Raj Bhavan function where poet Subramaniya Bharathi’s statue was unveiled recently. It is a classic example of how they promote Tamil in the state and Christianity.
On 15th May, Pope Francis declared Devasahayam Pillai a saint at the Vatican. Devasahayam Pillai, from the 18th century, was converted to Christianity. Tamil Nadu’s State song, the invocation to the Tamil language was sung in an event which was part of the canonization ceremony of Devasahayam. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin had posted a tweet and picked a verse from the invocation song that signified that Tamil is honoured and acclaimed in all directions.
Peter Alphonse, in his speech, said, “I can only see Tamil people in the Vatican and Tamil Nadu has conquered the Vatican in the name of promoting Tamil. It is a memorable occasion. The seeds (proselytization) sown by Devasahayagam Pillai has grown into trees in Rome. Majority of cardinals, archbishops (from Tamil Nadu) are here and conquered the Vatican. It is 2000 years old growth. 500 years ago, we have read that missionaries came to Tamil Nadu and learnt Tamil to spread Christianity. Today Our CM Stalin will be happier. We will go and tell him.”
Peter Alphonse further stated that “Social media and some selective media have reported that Devasahaygam Pillai is a fake. Why I am saying, this is that time and situation have not changed. At that time, there was Marthananda Varma (ruler of Travancore Kingdom) now, we have Right-wing, secular and religious forces. Devasahayam Pillai ignited a movement for social justice. Now we have a government that respects us, help us, and honour us. We have a CM who recognizes us.”
Tamil Nadu’s Minister for Information Technology & Digital services Mano Thangaraj, who runs Good Vision NGO, said, “this is a soul-satisfying event and gives immense pleasure. It is a god’s will that we are here. We are wondering if it is Kanyakumari or Romapuri as we see a sea of Tamilians present here.”
Apart from Peter Alphonse and IT Minister Mano Thangaraj, the State government was represented by the Tamil Nadu Minister of Minorities Welfare Gingee KS Masthan at the ceremony as official delegation.
Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) Dakshin Tamil Nadu on Sunday said that they “vehemently” opposed the decision of the Vatican of conferring Sainthood to Devasahayam Pillai.
Peter Alphose’s speech proved that the Hinduphobic TN government wholeheartedly supports evangelical elements to carry out their agenda. The demolition of over 200 Hindu temples, denial of conducting centuries-old rituals in temples and mutts, filling minorities in top key posts, foisting cases against Hindu outfit cadres, boycotting the unveiling of statue for Subramania Bharatahi at Raj bhavan, a freedom fighter, fought for women liberation, social justice are few examples. Christian pastors openly declared that it was their alms (votes) DMK and CM said it is for (Christians) and by the government.
