DMK MPs, led by Dayanidhi Maran, visit controversial Archbishop accused of influencing voters along religious line

Dayanidhi Maran, representing the Chennai Central Lok Sabha Constituency, led the newly elected DMK MPs to seek blessings from the controversial Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore, George Antonysamy. This visit sparked criticism online due to recent allegations against the Archbishop for attempting to influence voters using religious sentiments during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF) had previously raised concerns with the Election Commission of India (ECI) about the Tamil Nadu Bishops’ Council and Archbishop Antonysamy. The LRPF’s communication, dated April 29, 2024, accused the Archbishop of propagating communal propaganda through a community magazine to sway voters. The ECI acknowledged the complaint and instructed the Chennai District Election Officer to address the issue of voter influence along communal lines. However, inquiries about the current status of this issue have gone unanswered.

In his editorial titled “General Election 2024: Statement from Tamil Nadu Bishops’ Council” in The New Leader magazine, Archbishop Antonysamy criticised India’s central government, suggesting it was attempting to create a monocultural nation and imposing fascist ideologies. This editorial was seen as an attempt to influence the Christian community’s voting behaviour.

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The newly elected DMK MPs—Dayanidhi Maran from Chennai Central, Thamizhachi Thangapandian from Chennai South, and Kalanidhi Veeraswamy from Chennai North—visited Archbishop Antonysamy before attending the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha, which is set to commence on June 24, 2024, and run until July 3, 2024. Their visit to the Archbishop was perceived by critics as an act of gratitude for his support in their electoral victories.

This incident highlights the ongoing tension between religious and political groups in Tamil Nadu.

The alleged nexus between Christian and Muslim communities supporting the DMK is not new. For instance, Christian bishop George Ponnaiah previously claimed that Christian support helped the DMK win elections. Tamil Nadu CM Stalin has also made remarks during a Christmas mass suggesting that his government prioritises the demands of the Christian community.

Furthermore, DMK leaders have praised the British colonial period for improving education through Christian-run institutions, which they claim benefited all caste groups. This narrative of minority appeasement has been a point of contention among critics of the DMK.

The recent visit by DMK MPs to the Archbishop, seeking his blessings, is seen as a continuation of this trend, reinforcing the perception of a close relationship between the DMK and religious leaders who allegedly played a role in their electoral success.