Chennai: The recent appointment of Rev. Fr. C. Joe Arun, SJ, as the Chairman of the Tamil Nadu State Minorities Commission, has sparked widespread criticism and ignited a heated debate. Fr. Joe Arun’s selection to this prestigious position, replacing senior Congress leader Peter Alphonse, has not been without controversy. Fr. Joe Arun, who currently serves as the Director of Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA), has been associated with allegations of religious bias, which has further fueled the criticism surrounding his appointment.
Critics express concerns about the alleged minority appeasement measures of the DMK, suggesting that Tamil Nadu is gradually transforming into a Christian-dominated state. They argue that the leaders of the DMK have openly made statements in support of minority communities, potentially neglecting the interests of the majority Hindu population.
Adding to the controversy, Dindigul I Leoni, a popular talk show host known for making sexist comments about women, has been appointed as the head of the Tamil Nadu Textbook and Educational Services Corporation. Joining him are individuals like Su Veerapandian and Joe Arun, known for their strong opposition towards Hindus and Brahmins, who have been appointed as members of the corporation.
Fr. Joe Arun’s appointment as the president of the TN State Minorities Commission is further tarnished by controversies surrounding his past tenure as the Secretary of Loyola College, Chennai, from 2010 to 2012. Allegations of financial corruption and deviations from Jesuit core tenets led to his alleged premature departure from the position, serving only a two-year term instead of the customary three-year tenure. These controversies continue to cast a shadow over his new appointment in the minorities commission.
Joe Arun, a prominent figure in the academic and political circles, has recently found himself embroiled in controversy due to his association with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and a series of contentious statements. During his tenure at Loyola College, Arun played a pivotal role in organising a media interaction with Seeman, a renowned film director turned politician and founder of Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK). Seeman’s inflammatory remarks about the situation in Sri Lanka during this interaction have drawn widespread criticism.
In addition to the accusations of supporting the LTTE, Arun has faced allegations of religious bigotry. A previous statement made by him has been cited as evidence to support these claims. In November 2018, while addressing the National Conference on “Excellence in Higher Education,” Arun revealed that the Tamil Nadu State Government had approached him to revise the syllabus for Social Sciences in schools. He professed to have been one of the mentors involved in the design process. Arun alleged that the textbooks for Standard 1 to 12 contained an abundance of Jesuit ideology, injected without proper scrutiny or disclosure. He further claimed that the textbooks were filled with pictures, raising concerns about the content and educational quality.
The controversy surrounding Arun deepened during the 2018 Christmas celebrations organized by the Christhuva Nallenna Iyakkam (Christian Goodwill movement). The event, led by Inigo Irudhayaraj, who was later elected as an MLA in 2021 on a DMK ticket, saw the presence of influential political figures such as DMK President MK Stalin, senior leaders KN Nehru and Anbil Mahesh, and controversial Christian priest Ezra Sargunam. It was during this gathering that Joe Arun made a biblical prophecy, proclaiming MK Stalin as a divine figure destined to defeat Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Arun drew parallels between the prophetic texts of Isiah and the First Book of Maccabees, suggesting that the challenging times necessitated the rise of a leader with unwavering fortitude, symbolized by the DMK’s sun emblem. Arun went on to assert that MK Stalin, sent by his father Karunanidhi, would assume power and guide the people.
Fr. Joe Arun’s actions and affiliations have sparked intense debate about the role of educational institutions in political discourse. Critics argue that his actions, deeds and speeches have promoted divisive and destabilising ideas, particularly within the sensitive and diverse environment of a college campus.
Adding to the controversy is the fact that Fr. Joe Arun’s appointment comes under the governance of the DMK government. Chief Minister Stalin, during a Christmas eve function, had previously made a statement affirming their commitment to fulfill the demands of the minority communities without hesitation. This statement, alongside the actions of other prominent figures within the DMK, has raised concerns about potential favoritism and a lack of impartiality in decision-making processes.
The involvement of Stalin’s son, Udhayanidhi Stalin, who has expressed his desire for the destruction of Sana tana Dharma (Hinduism), being proud to be a Christian like his wife, further adds to the controversy. Additionally, the TN HR and CE minister’s loud proclamation of “Alleluia” during the same meeting, and the claims made by State Assembly Speaker M Appavu, DMK MP A Raja, and TN ministers Anbil Mahesh Poiyyamozhi, asserting that Christians have played a significant role in providing quality education that was once monopoly of the Brahmins.
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