Tamil Nadu’s Deputy Chief Minister, Udhaya Nidhi Stalin, who previously faced significant backlash for his provocative comparison of Sanatana Dharma to diseases such as dengue, malaria, and the coronavirus, has once again affirmed his Christian identity. He made these remarks during a Christmas and welfare program organised by the Synod of Pentecostal Churches at Bethel Metropolitan Cathedral in Coimbatore.
During his speech, Stalin highlighted his personal affiliations with Christian educational institutions, noting that he had studied at Don Bosco School and later at Loyola College, both of which are Christian-run institutions. He referenced a similar statement from the previous year’s Christmas event, stating, “I proudly declared, ‘I am also a Christian.’ Immediately, many ‘Sanghis’ had stomach burns. Today, I say it again—I am proud to say that I am a Christian.” This statement underscores his repeated assertion of his Christian pride, which he claims has often provoked strong reactions from political opponents, particularly those aligned with the Sangh Parivar.
” நான் ஒரு கிறிஸ்டியன் என்று சொல்லிக் கொள்வதில் பெருமை கொள்கிறேன்..! “ எங்கு பார்த்தாலும் நட்சத்திரம் ஜொலிக்கிறது..! ஒட்டு மொத்த உலகையே மகிழ்ச்சியில் ஆழ்த்த கூடிய விழா கிறிஸ்துமஸ் தான்.. உதயநிதி பேச்சு#Covai | #DMK | #UdhayanidhiStalin | #Christmas2024 | #PolimerNews pic.twitter.com/FLQYAcgSdu
— Polimer News (@polimernews) December 18, 2024
In Tamil Nadu, the term “Sanghis” is commonly used to refer to members or supporters of the BJP, RSS, the Sangh Parivar, and their affiliates. However, without understanding the term’s true connotations, various groups like the left, Dravida Kazhagam, VCK, Naam Tamizhar Katchi, along with Muslim and Christian organisations, and TVK have been using this word, which ironically means ‘best friend’ in some contexts.
Wow that’s news to me…. pic.twitter.com/H0gUOzzMWw
— Vishwatma 🇮🇳 ( மோடியின் குடும்பம் ) (@HLKodo) December 22, 2022
In what appears to be a strategic move to mitigate criticism and underscore his secular credentials, Udhaya Nidhi Stalin made clarifying remarks during a Christian forum. He stated, “If you think of me as Christian, I am a Christian. If you think of me as a Muslim, I am a Muslim. If you think of me as a Hindu, I belong to all. The foundation of all religions is love. Every religion teaches us to love one another.” This statement was intended to affirm his inclusivity across religious lines, despite his and his father’s public image as Hindu-phobic and atheists.
However, in contrast to their public stance, Udhaya Nidhi’s mother, Durga Stalin, and the wife of Chief Minister MK Stalin, is frequently seen participating in Hindu religious activities. They visit numerous temples across Tamil Nadu and other states, engaging in special prayers, abhisheka (ritualistic bathing of deities), and making offerings. This practice suggests a private adherence to Hindu rituals, even as they maintain an atheistic or anti-Hindu narrative in their political discourse.
Udhaya Nidhi himself has demonstrated a personal affinity for Christianity, notably by seeking blessings from a church pastor before his political campaigns and upon assuming his ministerial role. This has led many to perceive his actions as an attempt to appeal to minority communities. Nonetheless, he has not shied away from visiting Hindu temples when the political or social context demanded it, suggesting a pragmatic approach to religion in public life. This duality in his religious engagement has sparked discussions about the authenticity of his secularism and whether his actions are more about political strategy than personal belief.
நான் ஒரு கிறிஸ்டியன் என்று சொல்ல பெருமைப்படுகிறேன்..
~காமெடி நடிகர் உதயநிதி pic.twitter.com/JVUpUtKpUn— ஆட்டோக்காரன் 🛺 (@Rajesh_Lms) December 19, 2024
BJP IT wing functionary Karthik Gopinath, in a post on the X platform, stated, “I am proud to be a Christian says Deputy CM @Udhaystalin! I say – yes, we are aware! We also remember quite vividly your statements about Sanathana Dharma and your intent to eradicate it!”
I am proud to be a Christian says Dy Cm @Udhaystalin !
I say – yes we are aware !
We also remember quite vividly your statements about Sanathana Dharma and your intent to eradicate it ! https://t.co/m4X6zI7LNs— karthik gopinath (@karthikgnath) December 19, 2024
In 2022, during a Christmas celebration event held on December 22 in Chennai’s Harbour constituency, Udhaya Nidhi Stalin declared, “I’m proud to call myself a Christian. Today, all Sanghis (a term often used for devout Hindus and supporters of RSS-BJP) will be burning. Because Sekarbabu (Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Minister) is saying ‘Hallelujah’, Udhayanidhi is saying ‘I’m a Christian’. Yes, I will say that I’m a Muslim too.”
In that same meeting, TN HR and CE Minister PK Sekar Babu encouraged the audience to chant “Christmas Hallelujah.” This is particularly notable because Sekar Babu is responsible for the protection of Hindu temples and Sanatana Dharma, yet he was silent when Udhaya Nidhi Stalin openly expressed his intent to dismantle Sanatana Dharma.
Chief Minister MK Stalin, on a Christmas Eve function, remarked, “You have elected this government. This is for you. All your demands will be fulfilled.” Earlier, Kanyakumari-based pastor George Ponnaiah, who was seen with Rahul Gandhi during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, had claimed, “DMK came to power due to the alms of Christians. They are indebted to us.”
Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker Appavu, MP A Raja, and TN Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi have frequently credited British rule for educational advancements, suggesting it broke the monopoly Brahmins once had on education.
Recently, the Hindu Munnani condemned the allocation of 75 crores for the renovation of minority places of worship, arguing that while churches and mosques receive state funds, Hindu temples, which contribute revenue to the state, are largely left to manage their own maintenance without adequate support.
முதல்வரே இதுதான் திராவிட மாடல் ஆட்சியா?
சிறுபான்மையினருக்கு 75 கோடி!
பெரும்பான்மை இந்து சமுதாயத்திற்கு தெருக்கோடி!சிறுபான்மையினர் பொருளாதார மேம்பாட்டு கழகம் சார்பில் 20% இருக்கும் சிறுபான்மையினருக்கு 75 கோடி கடன் உதவி தமிழக அரசு செய்து தருகிறது. அப்படி என்றால் 80 சதவீதம்… pic.twitter.com/CP2VOjRAJv
— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) December 14, 2024
Recently, temple activist Rangarajan Narasimhan, known for highlighting misdeeds and corruption within temples managed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR & CE) department, found himself in conflict with the ruling party. He was arrested by the TN Cyber Crime unit for allegedly posting derogatory and objectionable content about Sriperumbudur Embar Jeeyar on his YouTube channel.
The issue arose from Narasimhan exposing an incident where Udhayanidhi Stalin had allegedly invited three Brahmin seers to his home to perform rituals in order to atone for past criticisms of the Brahmin community, specifically addressing a supposed “Brahmana dosham” (a curse associated with Brahmins) as suggested by an astrologer.
The arrest came after a complaint from the Embar Jeeyar, who accused Narasimhan of spreading false and damaging claims on social media. The Jeeyar further alleged that Narasimhan had uploaded a private phone conversation between them to YouTube without consent, and had manipulated the content to distort its original meaning.
This incident underscores the tension between temple activists like Narasimhan, who aim to expose corruption, and the political establishment, highlighting the complexities of freedom of speech, religious sensitivities, and political repercussions in the digital age.
Police @tnpoliceoffl today canlme to my house like a thrift l thief jumping the fence and is arresting me now without any info. I am on the way to the police station.
Sriperumbudur jeeyar seems to have complained.
I may be taken to Chennai now but they police days they are…
— Rangarajan Narasimhan (@OurTemples) December 15, 2024
Earlier, he was arrested. Rangarajan Narasimhan issued an unconditional apology for posting on his
social against industrialist (TVS group) Venu Srinivasan despite court orders.
