The Humanitarian Christmas Festival organised by the Christian Goodwill Movement was held at Nellai Darshana Bhoomi in Takkarammalpuram on Saturday, 20 December 2025, where Chief Minister MK Stalin participated as the chief guest. Stalin inaugurated the event by opening a Christmas hut and cutting a cake and used the occasion to reiterate the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s positioning as a protector of minorities.
Addressing the gathering, Stalin said, “Hindus – Muslims – Christians – should live as children of one mother. Such festivals should support that.” He added that his presence at the event was meant to convey reassurance to minority communities. “I have come to this event to assure you that we are your support and your fortress of protection, those who love secularism and religious harmony, and we will always be! It is as a symbol of that that we have all come together and participated in this event,” he said.
Stalin further asserted that the DMK was uniquely committed to minority welfare. “DMK is the only movement that is genuinely concerned about the welfare of minorities. We have implemented and delivered so many initiatives and schemes that it can be said that it was the golden age of protecting the welfare of minorities during the DMK regime,” he stated.
However, the event triggered political debate following remarks made by SJ Joe Arun, Chairman of the Tamil Nadu Minorities Commission. Speaking from the stage, Joe Arun said, “In the year 2026, all Christians and Muslims will be with Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. Just as God is with us, we will also be with him.”
He went on to make an explicit electoral appeal, stating, “From now on, we must be with him – that is the message of this gathering. In 2026, Christians, all Christians, Muslims, and all minorities will be with him.” He added, “I have personally seen that the Honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu is the protector of the minority people.”
Listing various government initiatives, Joe Arun cited educational scholarships for minority students, welfare societies for Christian and Islamic women, financial assistance for pilgrimages to Jerusalem, grants for repair and restoration of churches, establishment of boards for Ulemas and catechists, assistance for kabristan graveyards, minority status for educational institutions, free sewing machines with electric motors, hostels for minorities, two-wheeler subsidies for Ulemas, and rehabilitation assistance for those affected by communal riots.
He also referred to schemes implemented through the Tamil Nadu Minorities Economic Development Corporation, including low-interest business loans, skill-development centres, and marketing assistance for artisans and handicraft workers. “In this way, around 20 such schemes have been given, and he has been pouring out crores and crores of rupees all over Tamil Nadu,” Joe Arun said, urging the audience to applaud the Chief Minister.
Joe Arun further claimed direct administrative engagement by Stalin, stating, “When I went and submitted 1,232 petitions and requests to him, he himself gave solutions to 1,346 of those petitions, thereby showing that he is with us.” Concluding his speech, he said, “Just as God is with us, we too are with him… Just as Jesus is with us, he too is with us.”
“2026-ல் அனைத்து கிறிஸ்தவர்களும், இஸ்லாமியர்களும் மற்ற எல்லா சிறுபான்மையினத்தவர்களும் அவரோடு (முதல்வர் ஸ்டாலின்) இருப்பார்கள் ” – ஜோ.அருண், மாநில சிறுபான்மையினர் ஆணையத் தலைவர்#Christmas | #Christmas2025 | #Tirunelveli | #MKStalin pic.twitter.com/WhYseWiDMP
— PttvOnlinenews (@PttvNewsX) December 20, 2025
The remarks, delivered at a function held under the patronage of the Chief Minister, sparked criticism over the mixing of religious events with overt electoral messaging. Critics argued that similar statements made by Hindu religious figures often attract accusations of sectarianism, while this instance did not evoke comparable condemnation.
With Assembly elections due in Tamil Nadu next year, and with the political entry of actor Joseph Vijay reshaping the political landscape, such controversies have intensified scrutiny over the use of religious platforms for political messaging, adding to the charged pre-election atmosphere in the State.
Source: Tamil Indian Express
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