An event, held at Perambur Don Bosco School within Chief Minister MK Stalin’s Kolathur assembly segment, drew attention for the remarks made by DMK Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin. He said that he is proud in repeating to say that he was a Christian. Seated on the dais were CM MK Stalin, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister PK Sekar Babu, Chennai Mayor Priya, and other Christian pastors.
Addressing the audience, Udhayanidhi Stalin said, “From the same platform last year, the speech I made became a big topic of discussion. I said that I’m proud to be a Christian, I studied in Don Bosco school and Loyola College. Again, I’m saying, I’m a Christian, and I am proud to call myself a Christian.” Last year, at one of the Christmas eve function organised in the same Harbour constituency, he said that he and his wife are Christians.
However, this time, the DMK scion went on to play safe saying “But I am not going to stop there this time. If you call me a Christian, I’m a Christian. If you call me a Hindu, I’m a Hindu. If you call me a Muslim, I’m Muslim. I don’t have any caste or religion. I will keep telling that everybody is equal by birth. Our leaders – ‘Thanthai’ Periyar, ‘Perarignar’ Anna, ‘Muthamizharignar’ Dr. Kalaignar (Karunanidhi), our leader CM (Stalin) has taught us only this. I will keep talking about it anywhere, anytime, how many ever times. I am sure that you will agree with what I say.”
Udhayanidhi Stalin had landed himself in soup in September 2023 when he favoured the eradication of sana tana dharma like Malaria and Dengu.
Earlier, speaking at the event, MK Stalin praised HR and CE Minister Sekar Babu for organising this event. He Stalin highlighted the Dravidian Model government’s commitment to unity and harmony among diverse communities. He stated, “This is a Dravidian Model government. We are all brothers and remain united. But certain elements (without naming BJP) are unable to digest the same”. Stalin emphasised the government’s decision to secularism and communal harmony.
After cutting a Christmas cake, TN CM Stalin reiterated the DMK’s commitment to unity, stating, “ in our Dravidian Model of government people of all sects are living in peace and harmony. A certain group ( an oblique reference to BJP) does not like it and is desperate to stop it. They can’t win in this soil even after several years”.
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin participates in a Christmas celebration event in Chennai's Perambur Don Bosco School. pic.twitter.com/CgEvesZJxG
— ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2023
Critics argue that how a Minister who holds HR and CE departments can organise celebrations of another faith raises questions about the state’s commitment to secularism and equal treatment of all religions. The event held at Perambur Don Bosco School in CM M K Stalin’s Kolathur assembly segment was attended by high-profile figures, including CM himself. Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, HR and CE minister Sekar Babu, Mayor Priya, TN state minority commission head Peter Alphonse, Congress MLA Inigo Selvaraj , Bommapuram Mutt head Balaih and others.
Sekar Babu, the HR and CE minister, faced previous controversies when he was criticised for not intervening when Udhayanidhi Stalin made derogatory remarks about Hinduism. Currently, the High Court has reserved orders on Quo warranto petitions filed against Sekar Babu, Udhayanidhi Stalin and DMK MP A Raja.
Hindu devotees prefer that Sekar Babu concentrate on the good management of the temple under his department. The discontent is amplified by recent hikes in temple entrance fees, making access to religious sites financially burdensome for the less privileged. Restrictions on devotees during important events such as Vaikunda Ekadasi have further fuelled dissatisfaction.
Critics argue that the use of Hindu temple funds for a Christmas celebration, especially with the Chief Minister in attendance, is a one-sided approach to secularism. The controversy adds to longstanding criticism of Stalin’s refusal to wish Hindus during their festivals.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s participation in the event, despite criticism for not extending wishes to Hindus during their festivals, has added fuel to the fire. Critics also point to the deteriorating infrastructure and maintenance of Hindu temples under the HR and CE departments. Devotees complain of poor facilities and inhumane treatment, citing instances where security personnel often political cadres or from other religion, have replaced volunteers for crowd control.
Questions have been raised about the government’s financial support for moulvis and priests from taxpayers’ money, despite defining churches and mosques as private properties. Devotees argue that there is a lack of budgetary allocation for Hindu temples, and the disparity in financial assistance is reflective of minority appeasement.
A viral WhatsApp post highlights a perceived double standard in the allocation of government funds. It cites an instance where a Christian family received one crore rupees from the state government after their child fell into an uncovered bore well. At that time, in that secular media (?) media and leaders asked whether people; should celebrate diwali when the rescue operation of the boy is being made. The post draws parallels to the recent floods in Tamil Nadu, questioning the appropriateness of CM Stalin’s participation in Christmas celebrations while flood-affected areas are still grappling with recovery.
Meanwhile, posters have emerged in Palani, a sacred town for Lord Muruga, urging DMK representatives not to seek votes in the area. The posters express discontent with the DMK’s perceived insult to Hindu gods and call Palani a Punya Bhoomi (sacred land) of Lord Muruga.
The HR and CE department’s callousness was further underscored by an incident during the Vaikunta Ekadasi festival. The ancient Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar temple in Aaalyapuram near Pennagaram witnessed the fall of deity idols on the ground. The incident occurred when the pancha loka idols, carried on the shoulders of devotees, fell on the ground facing downwards. Fortunately, there were no casualties but the incident raises concerns about the dereliction of duty in handling temple idols.
As tensions rise, it remains to be seen how the Dravidian Model government will address the concerns raised by various quarters regarding the allocation and utilisation of funds designated for religious purposes.
The discontent is amplified by recent hikes in temple entrance fees, making access to religious sites financially burdensome for the less privileged. Restrictions on devotees during important events, such as Vaikunta Ekadasi, have further fueled dissatisfaction.
Critics argue that the use of Hindu temple funds for a Christmas celebration, especially with the Chief Minister in attendance, is a one-sided approach to secularism. The controversy adds to longstanding criticisms of Stalin’s refusal to wish Hindus during their festivals.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s participation in the event, despite criticism for not extending wishes to Hindus during their festivals, has added fuel to the fire.
Critics argue that the move raises questions about the government’s commitment to secularism and equal treatment of all religions. The event, held at Perambur Don Bosco School in Kolathur, witnessed high-profile attendees, including Chief Minister Stalin, HR and CE Minister Sekar Babu, Chennai Mayor Priya, Bommapuram Mutt head Balaiah, bishops, and Christian fathers.
Criticism has been directed at the perceived one-sided approach to secularism, with concerns raised about the use of Hindu temple funds for celebrations of another faith. The controversy has reignited debates on the equitable allocation of religious funds and the need for transparency in their utilisation.
Critics also point to the deteriorating infrastructure and maintenance of Hindu temples under the HR and CE department. Devotees complain of poor facilities and inhumane treatment, citing instances where security personnel, often political cadres or from other religions, have replaced volunteers for crowd control.
Questions have been raised about the government’s financial support for moulvis and priests from taxpayers’ money, despite defining churches and mosques as private properties. Devotees argue that there is a lack of budgetary allocation for Hindu temples, and the disparity in financial assistance is reflective of minority appeasement.
A viral WhatsApp post highlights a perceived double standard in the allocation of government funds. It cites an instance where a Christian family received one crore rupees from the state government after their child fell into an uncovered bore well. The funds were allegedly used for personal gains and evangelical activities. The post draws parallels to the recent floods in Tamil Nadu, questioning the appropriateness of CM Stalin’s participation in Christmas celebrations while flood-affected areas are still grappling with recovery.
Udhayanidhi Stalin’s public declaration of pride in being a Christian has added to the controversy. Critics argue that such statements, coupled with his previous remarks about wanting the destruction of Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism), are divisive. Udhayanidhi made the statement during the Christmas celebrations organized by HR and CE.
In response to the controversy, posters have emerged in Palani, a sacred town for Lord Muruga, urging DMK representatives not to seek votes in the area. The posters express discontent with the DMK’s perceived insult to Hindu gods and call Palani a Punya Bhoomi (sacred land) of Lord Muruga.
The HR and CE department’s callousness was further underscored by an incident during the Vaikunta Ekadasi festival. The ancient Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar temple in Aaalyapuram near Pennagaram witnessed the fall of deity idols on the ground. The incident occurred when the pancha loka idols, carried on the shoulders of devotees, fell on the ground facing downwards. Fortunately, there were no casualties, but the incident raised concerns about the dereliction of duty in handling temple idols.
The event has reignited the debate on the role of religion in the functioning of the state and the appropriate use of religious funds. As tensions rise, it remains to be seen how the Dravidian Model government will address the concerns raised by various quarters regarding the allocation and utilisation of funds designated for religious purposes.
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