A Christian pastor stirred controversy during a Christmas Eve meeting organised by former AIADMK minister P. Benjamin and Thiruvallur West District Secretary P.V. Ramana in Chennai on December 22.
The Pastor, while addressing the gathering, went beyond preaching Christian values and made disparaging remarks about Hinduism, which drew criticism from both attendees and devout Hindus outside the event. The sermon, perceived as overtly proselytising, has been viewed as an attempt to polarise minority votes ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu state assembly elections.
https://twitter.com/AdmkTvrlWest/status/1870874048739299466
The AIADMK, led by Edappadi Palaniswami, which recently severed ties with the BJP over its alleged anti-minority stance, faced criticism for allowing a Christian pastor to make disparaging remarks about Hinduism, its mantras, and deities during a Christmas Eve event in Chennai. Despite the inflammatory nature of the comments, the party leaders reportedly refrained from intervening, seemingly to avoid upsetting minority sentiments and jeopardising their votes.
In a video released by the AIADMK’s Thiruvallur unit, which later went viral on social media, the Pastor can be heard stating in Tamil, “First, there was Adam and Eve, that is Christianity; then came Islam, and finally Hinduism. All of us are children of one mother. If we understood this, there would be no religious or caste-based violence in India. In America, we can’t say, ‘Naidu, how are you?’ In New Zealand, we can’t say, ‘Mudaliyar, how are you?’ There, it’s just black and white. But only in India do we see so much division based on the Varna system.”
அதிமுகவின் முன்னாள் அமைச்சர் பெஞ்சமின் மேடையில் இருக்க ஹிந்து மதத்தை இழிவுபடுத்தி கிறிஸ்துமஸ் விழா என்ற மதமாற்ற உரை நிகழ்த்தும் பாஸ்டர்.
ஹிந்து மந்திரங்களை இழிவுபடுத்தும் ஈனச் செயலை வேடிக்கைப் பார்க்கும் திமுக கொள்கைப் பங்காளி அதிமுகpic.twitter.com/Ms8H8N5W2S— ShreeTV (@ShreeTV1) December 24, 2024
During his controversial address at the AIADMK Christmas Eve meeting in Chennai, a pastor continued to make remarks promoting Christianity while disparaging Hindu beliefs. He stated, “A God came to Earth to show love, and His name is Jesus Christ. Jesus says, ‘Whoever comes to me, I will never cast out.’ He won’t push you away. But if you go elsewhere, you’ll be pushed out, and you’ll have to stand there, chanting things like ‘Suklam baradharam this and that.’ But here, you’re welcome. Come to the altar, come to the cross. I created you, I love you, and I won’t push you away.”
Following these remarks, he urged the crowd to demonstrate their love in the 2026 state assembly elections. The Pastor directly tied his appeal to the AIADMK’s political future, stating, “If our party’s General Secretary declares no alliance with the BJP, it’s certain that the AIADMK will come to power in 2026 under the leadership of Edappadi Palaniswami.”
He concluded his speech by calling on Christians to actively campaign for the AIADMK in the upcoming elections, further deepening the intersection of religion and politics in his message. The comments have drawn widespread criticism for their polarising nature and religious insensitivity.
The Christmas Eve meeting became a platform for religious propagation, disparaging Hinduism, and openly campaigning for political parties. Critics argue that if a similar scenario had occurred at a Hindu gathering with jeers and religious leaders present, it would have drawn significant backlash and extensive coverage by the Dravidian media.
அதிமுகவின் முன்னாள் அமைச்சர் பெஞ்சமின் மேடையில் இருக்க ஹிந்து மதத்தை இழிவுபடுத்தி கிறிஸ்துமஸ் விழா என்ற மதமாற்ற உரை நிகழ்த்தும் பாஸ்டர்.
ஹிந்து மந்திரங்களை இழிவுபடுத்தும் ஈனச் செயலை வேடிக்கைப் பார்க்கும் திமுக கொள்கைப் பங்காளி அதிமுகpic.twitter.com/Ms8H8N5W2S— ShreeTV (@ShreeTV1) December 24, 2024
A netizen commented, “The same people who aim to eradicate Sanatana Dharma openly celebrate Christmas. Meanwhile, Hindus continue to elect them. This is the effect of so-called secularism—it blinds you to the truth.”
These same people wanted to eradicate SanatanaDharma but happily celebrate Christmas. Shameless Hindus still elect them.🤮
This is what secularism does to your minds. It won’t allow you to see the truth.pic.twitter.com/LxLUH0APwc
— Tathvam-asi (@ssaratht) December 24, 2024
At a recent Christian function, a leader repeatedly expressed pride in his faith, sparking criticism for perceived double standards. Critics argue, “Dravidian leaders attend Christian and Muslim events, openly expressing pride and seeking votes, yet they avoid saying ‘I am a proud Hindu,’ deeming it anti-secular. They also rarely greet Hindus during their festivals, claiming to uphold secularism while practicing appeasement politics. Despite this, they still rely on majority Hindu votes.”
Another critic called on Hindus to wake up, pointing to the Pastor’s anti-Hindu remarks during an AIADMK meeting. A video also surfaced showing a conflict over the ownership of a 40-year-old ACA church. After the church’s owner passed away last week, his son claimed ownership and locked the premises, prompting followers to conduct a mass on the road in protest.
தமிழ்நாட்டில் உருவாகிவரும் இந்து விரோத பேச்சுக்கள்.
நடவடிக்கை உண்டா?
திருவள்ளூரில் எடப்பாடி அணி நடத்திய கிறிஸ்துமஸ் நிகழ்ச்சியில்
பாதிரியார் ஒருவரின் சர்ச்சை பேச்சு.
இந்து மக்களே விழித்துகொள்ளுங்கள்
(Part 1/3) @HRajaBJP @hindumunnani_tn @asuvathaman @ponbalabjp @Agmarksanghi pic.twitter.com/FT8Td1TuQE— Prasanth26BJP (proud citizen of Bharat) (@Prasanth26_BJP) December 23, 2024
The Pastor, who criticised the caste system in Hinduism, seemed unaware of the various denominations within his religion, many of which are embroiled in court cases over church control.
மத பிரச்சாரத்தில் ஈடுபட்ட கிறிஸ்துவர்கள் திருப்பி அனுப்பி வைப்பு!!!
காஞ்சிபுரம் மாவட்டம், #துளசாபுரம் கிராமத்தில் இந்துக்கள் பெரும்பான்மையாக வாழும் பகுதியில், கிறிஸ்துவ மதத்தை சேர்ந்த சிலர் #மதப்பிரச்சாரத்தில் ஈடுபட்டனர்…
தகவல் அறிந்து உடனடியாக , இந்துமுன்னணி காஞ்சி மாவட்ட… pic.twitter.com/ixMtLgY3Nc
— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) December 23, 2024
In Thulasapuram, Kancheepuram, members of the Hindu Munnani successfully thwarted an attempt by a large group of Christians to propagate their religion in a predominantly Hindu residential area.
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