Padmanabhapuram DMK MLA T Mano Thangaraj, who was recently re-inducted into Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s cabinet, has drawn criticism following his meeting with Dr. Paul Dhinakaran, the head of the Jesus Calls Ministries—a figure often regarded as controversial. The timing of the meeting, which came just a day after the re-induction in the cabinet after resignations of ministers Senthil Balaji and K. Ponmudy.
On 1 May 2025, Mano Thangaraj, who now oversees the Milk and Dairy Development portfolio, shared a post on social media stating, “I met and greeted Dr. Paul Dinakaran, the leader of Jesus Calls Ministries and the Chancellor of Karunya University!”
இயேசு அழைக்கிறார் ஊழியங்களின் தலைவரும், காருண்யா பல்கலைக்கழகத்தின் வேந்தருமான முனைவர் திரு. பால் தினகரன் அவர்களை சந்தித்து வாழ்த்து பெற்றேன்! pic.twitter.com/rs832GD5uL
— Mano Thangaraj (@Manothangaraj) May 1, 2025
Critics have accused the DMK of hypocrisy, pointing out the party’s repeated claims of upholding secularism while allegedly promoting minority appeasement. This includes sharing platforms with religious figures known for making divisive remarks, particularly against Hinduism, which many see as contradictory to the rationalist and atheist principles the DMK claims to follow, inspired by E.V. Ramasamy Naicker.
This isn’t the first instance of such allegations. Following the DMK’s success in the 18th Lok Sabha elections, newly elected MPs—Dayanidhi Maran (Central Chennai), Thamizhachi Thangapandian (Chennai South), and Kalanidhi Veeraswamy (Chennai North)—visited Archbishop George Antonysamy of the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore. Antonysamy had recently faced allegations of trying to influence voters through religious appeals during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Their visit sparked backlash on social media, with users questioning the DMK’s stance on secularism.
#Photos | சென்னை சாந்தோம் மறை மாவட்ட பேராயரிடம் வாழ்த்து பெற்ற திமுக எம்.பி.க்கள்!#SunNews | #DMKMPs | #Santhome pic.twitter.com/vcWWhNApkq
— Sun News (@sunnewstamil) June 21, 2024
These recurring incidents have led to growing public concern about the DMK’s double standards—professing atheism and rationalism while simultaneously engaging in selective religious appeasement, often at the cost of Hindu sentiments.
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