A comment made by Aadhav Arjuna, the General Secretary of the Election Campaign Management of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagami (TVK), has ignited controversy amid a prolonged protest by sanitation workers against the Greater Chennai Corporation. While expressing support for workers on an indefinite hunger strike, Arjuna stated, “We can do corruption, but we should not do corruption by exploiting the people.”
The remark came during a tense standoff between temporary cleaning workers and the civic body over the awarding of a ₹276 crore contract for cleaning work in zones 5 and 6 to a private company. The workers have been protesting for weeks, arguing that the move will cost them their livelihoods.
The situation escalated when four women sanitation workers began an indefinite hunger strike a few days ago. TVK leaders, including General Secretary N Anand and Aadhav Arjuna, met the hunger strikers to offer their support.
Speaking to reporters afterwards, Aadhav Arjuna sharply criticised the state government, alleging that it had treated the protesting workers many of whom are from Adi Dravidar communities “without basic rights or dignity.”
He accused the government of violating labour rights and claimed it was acting outside legal norms. Arjuna said his organisation would pursue a “strong legal struggle” and that actor-politician Vijay had expressed concern after hearing about the hunger strike.
In a remark that has drawn public attention, Aadhav Arjuna said “we can do corruption, but we should not do corruption by exploiting the people,” asserting that the state’s contract decision amounted to exploitation of vulnerable workers. He also urged Left groups and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi to support the sanitation workers, saying political differences should be set aside in this instance.
The sanitation workers have stated they will continue their protest until the privatisation decision is reversed.
As DMK scion Udhayanidhi Stalin’s birthday approaches on 27 November, a video from Tamil Nadu showing women performing a scantily clad dance routine in front of DMK Minister KR Periyakaruppan and DMK cadre during celebrations for Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin’s birthday has triggered criticism across social media. The visuals, which showed scantily clad women coming close to the minister while performing dance steps, were widely circulated on social media platforms. The minister was seen watching the performance along with party workers as they danced right in front of him.
This is a minister in TN cabinet periyakaruppan getting girls to dance in this manner in front of him and all his party cadres to celebrate Udhayanidhi birthday. 👌 pic.twitter.com/aSODzpTrm3
This incident is not an isolated one but appears to be part of a recurring pattern within the DMK’s event management, drawing criticism for its use of what is locally known as “record dance” to attract crowds.
A History of Controversial Performances
The DMK’s reliance on such vulgar dance performances has been a repeated point of contention:
January 2024: The DMK Youth Wing Conference in Salem was criticized for its “time-tested formula” of featuring skimpily clad women dancing vulgarly to songs with explicit lyrics, all in an effort to “attract” and keep the audience hooked.
January 2021: Party cadre waiting for leader M.K. Stalin in Tiruchy were treated to four hours of professional dancers “gyrating to film item songs” on a roadside stage. The performance, which saw functionaries donating money for encores, embarrassed women in the crowd who had brought young girls. At the time, senior leader K.N. Nehru claimed the event was arranged by local functionaries without his knowledge.
Public Backlash
The consistent use of these performances has led to accusations of hypocrisy, with critics pointing out that the same party figures who indulge in or condone these “vulgar shows” also present themselves as intellectuals who conduct “knowledge festivals.”
The latest birthday celebration for Udhayanidhi Stalin has reignited this criticism, with many questioning why a semi-nude dance performance is considered an appropriate form of celebration for the DMK scion’s birthday and what it signifies about the party’s culture and its respect for women.
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In a case highlighting the persistent issue of child marriage in the region, Andhra Pradesh police arrested a bridegroom and his parents on 18 November 2025 for marrying a 13-year-old girl against her will. The incident took place in Turakapalem village.
The accused had conducted the marriage ceremony at a local church on 9 May 2025. Authorities reported that the pastor and other religious figures presided over the ceremony. The family allegedly coerced the minor into the union by falsely promising she would be permitted to continue her education after marriage.
This case is not an isolated incident. In this report, we take a look at 11 separate instances of child marriages involving evangelical groups in the region between 2011 and 2025. Several of these cases also included accompanying charges of sexual abuse and the violent suppression of the children involved.
#1 Guntur Pastor in Minor’s Marriage & Assault Case – 18 November 2025 – Turakapalem, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh
A 13-year-old girl was married to K Danielu in a local church ceremony on 9 May 2025, officiated by a pastor. The groom’s parents, K. Samson and K. Nirmala, were also arrested. Police reported that after the marriage, the girl was sexually assaulted by her father-in-law. Authorities have registered a case under the POCSO Act and the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, noting that action will also be taken against the pastor and the victim’s grandmother who facilitated the illegal union.
#2 Karnataka Pastor Sentenced for Child Marriage – 19 October 2025 – Gangavathi, Koppal district, Karnataka
A court sentenced six individuals, including Pastor Abraham D, to two years in prison for their involvement in the 2020 marriage of a 14-year-old girl. The marriage was solemnized at the Gadwal Camp Church. The convicted also include the groom, Kurupanna, and the parents from both sides. Each was fined Rs. 10,000 by the Principal Civil and JMFC court.
#3 Chennai Groom, Parents Booked for Minor’s Marriage – 2 October 2025 – Besant Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
A 16-year-old girl from Ennore was married to 26-year-old Vignesh Kumar at a church, despite her opposition. Following the ceremony, the victim sought help from the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). Acting on the CWC’s report, the Pulianthope All-Women Police registered a case against the groom, his parents Dakshinamurthy and Parameshwari, and the girl’s parents.
#4 US Polygamist Leader Gets 50 Years for Child Sex Crimes – 9 December 2024 – Arizona-Utah border, USA
Samuel Bateman, a polygamist sect leader, was sentenced to 50 years in prison for orchestrating a scheme involving sexual crimes with minors. Bateman, who had over 20 “spiritual wives” including 10 underage girls, coerced girls as young as 9 into sexual acts. He also schemed to kidnap them from protective custody. An offshoot of Warren Jeffs’ FLDS church, his group practiced polygamy based on his claimed divine orders, leading to his arrest in August 2022.
A 63-year-old traditional priest, Nuumo Borketey Laweh Tsuru XXXIII, married a 12-year-old girl in a public ceremony near the capital, Accra. The event, defended by the priest’s spokesperson as non-sexual, triggered national outrage and widespread media coverage. In response to the public backlash, Ghana’s Attorney General opened a formal investigation into the incident, scrutinizing the legality and circumstances of the child marriage.
#6 Zimbabwe Sect Blamed for Teen’s Death in Childbirth – 24 April 2022 (Reported) – Harare, Zimbabwe
Fifteen-year-old Anna Machaya died during childbirth just ten days after her birthday while married to a 26-year-old man, Hatirarami Momberume. Her parents, members of the Johane Marange Apostolic Church—a sect accused of condoning child marriage—had consented to the union. After her death, her parents attempted to cover up the circumstances.
#7 Nigerian Bishop Arrested for Marrying 15-Year-Old – 10 September 2020 (Reported) – Idi Oro, Mushin, Lagos, Nigeria
Bishop Stephanos Lucky Enofe, 54, was arrested for marrying a 15-year-old girl. The founder of Spirit of Grace Ministry had been in a relationship with the girl since she was 12. The marriage was formalized through both a traditional ceremony in Abia State and a church service in Lagos. The arrest also included the teenager’s parents, highlighting a collaborative failure in protecting the minor from an illicit and exploitative union.
#8 Nigerian Pastor Arrested in Tamil Nadu for Assault – 23 November 2019 – Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu
Nigerian pastor Nikki Philip, 51, was arrested for the sexual assault of a Dalit schoolgirl after marrying her in a church ceremony. He had lured the victim’s grandmother with promises of a luxurious life abroad. Further investigation revealed the girl had also been sexually assaulted by another pastor, G. Chelladurai, who had made false promises of marriage. Cases were filed under the POCSO Act and child marriage laws against both pastors and accomplices.
#9 Police Halt Child Marriage at Church in Madhya Pradesh – 27 April 2016 – Satna, Madhya Pradesh
Police intervened to stop the marriage of a Hindu minor girl at the ‘Church of God’. The ceremony was being officiated by Pastor Sam Samuel. The groom had converted to Christianity four years prior. Eleven people, including the pastor and the groom, were arrested under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act and sections of the Religious Conversion Act, preventing the illegal union and highlighting the intersection of conversion and child marriage.
#10 US Sect Leader Gets Life for Child Bride Assault – 9 August 2011 – Texas, USA
Warren Steed Jeffs, leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), was sentenced to life in prison plus 20 years for the sexual assault of two child brides, aged 12 and 15. Prosecutors presented audio evidence of Jeffs’ crimes. The trial revealed he had 78 wives, two dozen of whom were underage when he married them, exposing the systematic sexual abuse within the polygamist sect.
#11 Polygamist Ex-Bishop Jailed for Jeffs’ Child Marriage – 8 November 2011 – Texas, USA
Fredrick Merril Jessop, a 75-year-old ex-bishop in the FLDS sect, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for performing the illegal marriage ceremony between sect leader Warren Jeffs and a 12-year-old girl. The court heard that Jessop had married 11 of his own daughters and two granddaughters to Jeffs. This case demonstrated the deep complicity within the sect’s hierarchy in facilitating and normalizing the marriage of minors to older men.
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A video clipping of a group of students participating in the 50th anniversary of the banned organization – Radical Students Union (RSU) in Hyderabad from earlier this year has been making the rounds on the internet.
The participating students are from bsCEM – yeah, you guessed it right – the Bhagat Singh Chhatra Ekta Manch and one conspicuous figure in that group is none other than the woke leftist who has been protesting against Maoist terrorist Hidma’s neutralization by the Indian forces in the name of raising voice against Delhi’s pollution.
bsCEM participated in the 50th anniversary conference of the Radical Students Union (RSU). It’s a banned Maoist Front Org.
Basavaraj who was killed earlier this year was an RSU product.
The 50th anniversary of the RSU – a banned Maoist-front student organisation was observed on 20-21 February 2025 at Sundarayya Vignana Kendram in Hyderabad, drawing retired professors, left-leaning activists, and members of various student groups.
It is noteworthy that slain Maoist terrorist Basavaraju who was neutralised by our forces earlier this year was also from this organization.
The gathering paid homage to RSU members and Naxalite cadre killed in encounters over the decades. Soma Narsamma, whose daughter and two sons died in separate police encounters, hoisted the RSU flag. The chief guest of the ceremony was Jagmohan Singh, retired professor of Punjab Agricultural University and nephew of revolutionary figure Bhagat Singh.
RSU: A Student Front With Deep Maoist Roots
Founded in 1974, RSU emerged from internal splits within the Progressive Democratic Students Union (PDSU) and aligned itself firmly with the CPI (ML) factions attempting to spread the Naxalite movement into student campuses. Through the late 1970s and 1980s, RSU ran campaigns in thousands of villages, organised agitations on campuses, and worked closely with the People’s War Group (PWG)—the Maoist organisation that later merged into the CPI (Maoist) in 2004.
RSU members played significant roles in Maoist operations, with leaders such as Cherukuri Rajkumar (Azad) serving as its multi-term president before becoming the official spokesperson of the CPI (Maoist). Many RSU activists were killed in encounters, including in major crackdowns in 1978, 1993, and 1999. The Andhra Pradesh government formally banned RSU and PWG in 1992, leading the group to function covertly under alternate names.
BSCEM Participation
As noted above, the presence of members of Bhagat Singh Chhatra Ekta Manch (bsCEM) at the anniversary event of a banned Maoist organization is worrisome. Given this history and their association with the banned outfit, bsCEM seems to be a Maoist organization in the making with its radical messaging, pro-Maoist slogans, and recent confrontations with authorities.
In May 2024, bsCEM was booked under the Delhi Prevention of Defacement of Property Act after defacing the walls of Delhi University with graffiti such as “Ek hi raasta Naxalbari” and calls to boycott elections, denouncing parliamentary democracy as a “sham.”
Image Source: OpIndia
The group has publicly demanded an end to Operation Kagaar, the ongoing multi-state campaign against Maoist insurgents.
Screenshot of bsCEM Instagram post
bsCEM social media posts have repeatedly framed Maoist insurgents killed in encounters as “martyrs” and accused the government of “Brahmanical Hindutva fascism.”
Screenshot of bsCEM Instagram post
bsCEM has consistently supported former Delhi University professor G.N. Saibaba, who was convicted for Maoist links, referring to his death anniversary as a “martyrdom.”
Screenshot of bsCEM Instagram post
Members have also organised protests supporting Palestine, raising questions about the organisation’s growing political footprint.
Who Is Ravjot Kaur?
Among the bsCEM-linked attendees identified by activists online is Ravjot Kaur, a computer science engineering graduate from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (2020–2024). She rose to national attention in November 2025 after participating in an air pollution protest at India Gate where posters praising slain Maoist commander Madvi Hidma surfaced.
Protest is on Delhi Pollution
Slogans- “Comrade Hidma Amar Rahe”
The real protest is against Killing of Naxalite Hidma who has killed hundreds of our Jawans.
These “Laal Salam” Communists celebrated when Hidma led attack on on 75 CRPF Jawans in 2010.
Delhi Police later alleged that several protesters, including Kaur, used chilli spray against officers attempting to clear the area for ambulances. Over a dozen protesters were arrested, and an FIR was registered for obstruction, assault, and unlawful assembly. Ravjot Kaur has been a recurring presence at bsCEM-led demonstrations and has been outspoken in her support for what she calls “people-led development models practised by Maoists.”
The presence of bsCEM activists at the RSU anniversary suggests renewed coordination among far-left student groups, former Maoist sympathisers, and individuals aligned with Naxalite ideology.
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The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has released the list of films eligible for the Best Animated Feature category at the Oscars 2026, confirming that the Indian animated film Mahavatar Narsimha has officially qualified. The movie will compete with 35 international titles, including The Bad Guys 2, Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, KPop Demon Hunters, and other major global releases.
Indian Puranas Makes Its Mark
Mahavatar Narsimha, which earned strong box-office traction earlier this year, is based on the story of Narasimha, the fourth avatar of Lord Vishnu. The film depicts the rise of the asura king Hiranyakashyapu, who obtains near-immortality through penance to Lord Brahma and goes on to rule the three realms. His young son Prahlad, a devout follower of Vishnu, becomes the target of his wrath. The story culminates in Lord Vishnu’s dramatic incarnation as Narasimha, who ends Hiranyakashyapu’s tyranny and restores cosmic balance.
Launch of the Mahavatar Cinematic Universe
The movie serves as the first chapter of the planned Mahavatar Cinematic Universe (MCU). A post-credit scene confirmed the next installment, Mahavatar Parshuram, centred on Vishnu’s sixth avatar, slated for release in 2027. Additional titles lined up for the franchise include Mahavatar Raghunandan, Mahavatar Dwarkadhish, Mahavatar Gokulananda, Mahavatar Kalki Part I, and Mahavatar Kalki Part II, with the saga expected to conclude in 2037.
With its Oscar qualification, Mahavatar Narsimha becomes one of the few Indian animated films to enter the Academy’s longlist, raising hopes of a nomination when the final shortlist is announced.
A major political controversy has broken out in West Bengal after Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir announced that a foundation stone for a structure named “Babri Masjid” would be laid on December 6 at Beldanga in Murshidabad district. Posters announcing the event surfaced across the district this week, several of which were later found vandalised, heightening tensions at both local and state levels.
THIS ISN’T ABOUT FAITH. ON THE CONTRARY IT’S ABOUT WEAPONISING FAITH LIKE BABUR DID.
Posters of Babri Masjid put up in Murshidabad, Bengal. TMC MLA Humayun Kabir has said, “We will lay the foundation stone of Babri Masjid here on 6th Dec.”
BENGAL’S MURSHIDABAD FOR BABUR? pic.twitter.com/VEvG1aM1yh
Kabir told reporters that Muslim leaders would attend the ceremony and claimed the mosque would be completed “within three years.” The choice of date has set off a political storm: December 6 marks the anniversary of the 1992 demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya.
Despite the escalating row, the Trinamool Congress has not issued an official statement. Kabir, who has been distanced from the party and issued multiple show-cause notices earlier, continues to chart an independent political course and has even hinted at forming a new outfit. The party has not expelled him.
The BJP sharply criticised the announcement, calling it an attempt to provoke and polarise.
Humayun Kabir dismissed the criticism, asserting that the foundation stone would be laid as scheduled.
“This is a religious right and a demand of the local people,” he said.
The Congress distanced itself from the controversy.
This is not the first time Kabir has made such an announcement; he made similar remarks in 2024. With the anniversary of December 6 approaching, political parties have urged restraint, warning that statements of this nature could inflame tensions in Bengal’s communally sensitive districts.
The situation in Murshidabad continues to be closely monitored as the planned foundation-laying date approaches.
The Madras High Court Unit of the Akhila Bharatha Vazhakkariynarkal Sangam (ABVS) – North Tamil Nadu marked the 76th Constitution Day with a solemn and celebratory event on Tuesday, focusing on the deep cultural roots of the Indian Constitution. The function, held at the South India Chamber of Commerce & Industry, was graced by esteemed members of the judiciary and legal fraternity.
The Hon’ble Mr. Justice V. Lakshminarayanan, Judge of the Madras High Court, attended as the Chief Guest and delivered a keynote address on the theme of “Cultural Constitution.” His speech highlighted the intricate connection between India’s rich, ancient heritage and the foundational values enshrined in its constitutional framework.
Shri AR.L. Sundaresan, Senior Advocate and Additional Solicitor General of India at the Madras High Court, administered the Constitution Day Oath to the gathering.
Shri R. Rajendran, National Vice President of the Akhil Bharatiya Adhivakta Parishad (ABAP), the parent organization of ABVS, presided over the function. He addressed the audience on the role and mission of the ABAP.
The program was also attended by Shri K. Baskar, State President of ABVS (North), Dr. G. Babu, State General Secretary, and Shri N. Sivaprakash, President of the Madras High Court Unit, who delivered the welcome address.
A focal point of the celebration was the emphasis on the artistic and calligraphic heritage of the original Constitution. Banners displaying extracts from the Constitution, which features artwork representing 5,000 years of Indian history and the freedom movement, were displayed, visually reinforcing the theme of a living, cultural document.
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In December 2023, Tamil Nadu witnessed an unprecedented gathering — the ‘United Christian Conference’ — which brought together some of the state’s most influential Christian leaders, including Mohan C. Lazarus, Dr. Paul Dhinakaran, and Archbishop George Antonysamy.
The event was aimed to unite Catholics, CSI, Lutherans, Baptists, Methodists, and Pentecostals under a common theme of “one body in Christ” with interdenominational prayer and worship. The programme, heavily promoted online, emphasised unity, harmony, and spiritual “breakthroughs,” invoking biblical motifs such as the “walls of Jericho” falling.
DMK MLA and Christian Goodwill Movement founder Inigo S. Irudayaraj also attended the event indicating the political and social influence of this ecosystem.
The conference — and those behind it — deserves closer scrutiny to understand how evangelical networks, their political linkages, funding channels, and on-ground operations are increasingly shaping Tamil Nadu’s political landscape.
These evangelists, operating at the intersection of faith, education, and politics, seem to be orchestrating a coordinated strategy to consolidate Christian votes and influence Tamil Nadu’s governance. Let us take a quick look at a few of these rabid preachers and their various activities in this unfolding political drama.
Mohan Lazarus – The Inflammatory Evangelist
Mohan C Lazarus is the founder of Jesus Redeems Ministries, headquartered in Nalumavadi, Thoothukudi, and is one of Tamil Nadu’s most influential Pentecostal preachers. He is a significant theological and political force in southern Tamil Nadu, often noted for his controversial public statements and activism.
Hate Speech and Communal Allegations:
Lazarus has faced multiple criminal cases (FIRs) in Tamil Nadu for making anti-Hindu statements, such as describing Hindu temples as “abodes of Satan” and mocking Hindu deities. Charges brought against him included IPC Sections 153, 153-A, 295-A, 505(1)(b), and 505(2) (for promoting enmity, outraging religious feelings, and inciting public mischief). He also called other faiths “evil”.
In 2021, the Madras High Court quashed some FIRs after he issued an unconditional apology but explicitly cautioned that his extremist rhetoric could provoke “hatred, violence, and bloodshed.”
Political Interventions:
In 2022, videos circulated online of Lazarus praying for the defeat of the BJP in state elections, drawing criticism from political quarters.
COVID-19 and Social Responsibility:
During the pandemic, Lazarus was found encouraging followers to attend church gatherings amid lockdown protocols and spreading vaccine hesitancy propaganda.
“Vaccines, Booster doses and masks are all conspiracy of WHO and corporate companies, all this are done to intimidate and enslave you and keep you in fear its the work of Antichrist, proof for all this is in the Bible” #Lazarus the Unstoppable pic.twitter.com/3JygVlq1nQ
— Vishwatma 🇮🇳 ( மோடியின் குடும்பம் ) (@HLKodo) January 16, 2022
Activism and Sterlite Protests:
Lazarus was instrumental in mobilising Christian congregations against the Sterlite copper plant in Thoothukudi, where he called on believers to treat the factory as a “toxic” presence and agitated for its closure.
Funding and Regulatory Issues:
His organization, Jesus Redeems, was flagged for FCRA (foreign funding) violations. The associated US entity held about $190,000, according to public financial disclosures. Regulatory authorities also initially denied him a new passport because he failed to disclose his pending criminal cases.
In January 2025, MHA permanently cancelled the FCRA license Of Mohan Lazarus’ NGO Jesus Redeems over multiple violations.
Dr. Paul Dhinakaran: The Tycoon Preacher with a “Mini-Vatican”
Dr. Paul Dhinakaran, head of Jesus Calls Ministries and Chancellor of Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, represents the institutional arm of this influence, wielding significant financial and organizational power.
The “Karunya Nagar” Project: Allegations abound that Dhinakaran is trying to create a “Mini Vatican” in Nallurvayal village near Coimbatore. RTI investigations have revealed that numerous churches and prayer halls in the surrounding panchayats were constructed without official permission, indicating a systematic and unauthorized expansion.
Conversion Allegations and Targeting Tribal Community: His NGO, SEESHA, has been accused of using its mobile hospital services to lure tribal communities with freebies like clothes and gifts as a precursor to religious conversion. Protests have erupted over the renaming of villages and the affixing of Karunya’s name on government-built houses, leading to accusations of branding state welfare as Christian charity.
Financial Scandals and Political Funding: The Income Tax Department conducted major raids on Dhinakaran’s premises, resulting in the seizure of 5 kg of gold and the uncovering of ₹120 crore in unaccounted investments. There are unconfirmed reports that his organization, which receives foreign funding from countries like Canada, may have diverted funds to farmer agitations and certain Tamil Nadu political parties. He was also banned from holding a religious gathering in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, after appeals by local Hindu groups.
Used Children For “Healing” Event In Arunachal Pradesh: Dhinakaran held a three-day Jesus Calls Arunachal Prayer Festival in Arunachal Pradesh in 2023, attended by Chief Minister Pema Khandu and several ministers. During the event, Paul prayed for the state and government, referring to Arunachal as “God’s garden,” while Khandu praised Christian denominations for opposing money culture in elections and highlighted government grants to Christian institutions. Videos from the festival showed Paul performing “miracle healings,” including claims of making a wheelchair-bound girl walk.
George Antonysamy: The Political Archbishop
As the Archbishop of the influential Archdiocese of Madras and Mylapore, George Antonysamy holds significant sway, which he has wielded in overtly political ways, drawing accusations of violating the model code of conduct and mixing religion with politics.
Election Interference: During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he authored a guest editorial in ‘The New Leader’ magazine that sharply criticized the Union Government, accusing it of constructing a “mono-cultural nation” and destroying diversity. The editorial parroted DMK talking points, using terms like “Union government” and alleging that institutions like the Election Commission and courts were under government control. He explicitly called on Christians to vote to “protect this land” and “reject sectarian parties.”
Open Gratitude for Religious Representation: Following the DMK’s renomination of P. Wilson, a Roman Catholic, to the Rajya Sabha in May 2025, Archbishop Antonysamy publicly thanked Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in a letter. He explicitly highlighted Wilson’s “Roman Catholic” identity and thanked Stalin for “recognising the needs of our minority Christian community.” This act starkly contradicted the DMK’s publicly stated principle of not mixing religion with politics.
It is noteworthy that DMK MPs Dayanidhi Maran, Thamizhachi Thangapandian, and Kalanidhi Veeraswamy visited Archbishop George Antonysamy, who had recently faced allegations of influencing voters on religious grounds, just as the 2024 Lok Sabha elections following the results – DMK alliance had swept TN winning all 39 seats in the state.
Network of Influence: The Archdiocese controls a vast network of organizations, including educational societies, trusts, and NGOs like Caritas India, which critics argue should be investigated for potential violations of FCRA, FEMA, and PMLA regulations.
Anti-NEP Campaign: In 2020, he issued a circular mobilising protest against the National Education Policy. The circular included contact numbers of activist organisations such as People’s Watch.
Inigo Irudayaraj: The DMK’s Point Man
DMK MLA Inigo Irudayaraj, who also heads the Christian Goodwill Movement (Christuva Nallenna Iyakkam), functions as a direct political bridge between the party and the evangelical community.
Spreading Disinformation: At a youth camp organized by Mohan Lazarus, Irudayaraj delivered a speech filled with falsehoods. He falsely claimed that the UAPA anti-terror law was being used against Christians in BJP-ruled states. He also inflated a statistic, alleging that 6,500 Christian women were sexually assaulted in Gujarat, a figure wildly inconsistent with official NCRB data which reported 610 rape complaints for all women in the state.
The Political Nexus?
The activities of these individuals paint a picture of a deeply interconnected nexus. This alliance, critics argue, is now strategically aligning behind a new vehicle which is Joseph Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam with the alleged end goal of placing a pliable Christian leader at the helm of the state government, fundamentally altering the political and religious landscape of Tamil Nadu. The allegations of “crypto-Christian” infiltration in the bureaucracy and the specific naming of Vijay’s backers from Christian educational institutions like Loyola College further fuel this narrative of a concerted, long-term political mission.
This Christian gathering that was convened seems to have been done with the explicit objective of uniting in support of Dravidianism, a political ideology that Hindus must now decisively reject and break away from to achieve their own unity. Under the guise of service through educational and medical institutions, and with the full backing of Dravidian and Communist parties, these forces are accused of engaging in deceptive conversion activities.
Actor Joseph Vijay, now parading as a politician, loves to project himself as a messiah of morality. Like a typical DMK lackey, he has been trying to brand RSS as a “divisive force” in Tamil Nadu.
It is hardly surprising he speaks that way — after all, he, his party, and his inner circle all come from the same mould – be it his father, his advisor Aadhav Arjuna (son-in-law of Lottery Martin), his another advisor is Jhon Arockiasamy, or his association with Atlee.
But if Vijay truly wants to speak of divisive forces in Tamil Nadu, he need not look beyond the missionaries and evangelists of his own religion. For decades, their actions, cloaked in the garb of charity and faith have fractured communities, grabbed lands, and stoked enmity.
Within this backdrop, a growing section of Tamil Nadu’s Christian groups appears to be viewing Vijay as a valuable political investment. With the DMK increasingly losing credibility among its traditional minority constituencies, Vijay offers them a fresh, culturally packaged, youth-friendly face through whom they can diversify their political bets. For evangelist networks, he represents a convenient blend of star power, moral posturing, and a tacit willingness to echo their narratives — making him an ideal long-term asset in Tamil Nadu’s shifting political marketplace.
Last Word
The DMK’s selective secularism, the rise of Vijay as a carefully curated “alternative,” and the expanding machinery of evangelical networks are not isolated developments — they are interconnected pieces of a larger political strategy.
If Tamil Nadu fails to recognise how this ecosystem is quietly manufacturing consent, capturing institutions, and scripting new political loyalties, the state may soon find its democracy subcontracted to forces whose allegiance lies far beyond its borders.
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A social-media controversy has emerged over claims that Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Joseph Vijay declined to accept a Mariamman photograph offered by a supporter during his election campaign. The incident is widely alleged to have taken place in the Tiruvarur region, during a campaign stop in late September 2025.
According to viral posts, on 20 September 2025 when he was campaigning in Tiruvarur, a long-time party worker attempted to present Vijay with a framed image of Goddess Mariamman. Several users claim that Vijay did not accept the photo despite multiple requests. Short video clips circulating online show supporters trying to hand over an item during a public interaction, which some users say is the deity’s portrait.
DMK 2.0 – Does Not Wish For Hindu Festivals
Vijay has been repeatedly proving that the TVK is just a 2.0 version of the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhaga (DMK). Let us look at past instances where Vijay behaved very similary to the DMK, when it came to Hindus, Hindu festivals.
Not Wishing For Vinayakar Chaturthi
Vijay did not acknowledge or wish the people of the state for Vinayakar Chaturthi, a festival celebrated by 87.58% of the Hindu population in the state. Kollywood actor and TVK chief Vijay appeared to be deliberately avoiding respecting the cultural values and beliefs of Hindus and Tamils. This accusation is supported by his selective social media posts on his official X account.
Not Wishing For Tamil New Year (Puthandu)
Instead of wishing for Tamil New Year which is a significant festival for Hindus in Tamil Nadu, Vijay chose to wish his fans and followers for Ambedkar Jayanti in 2024, which coincidentally falls on the same day. This is the same strategy employed by the DMK on the auspicious occasion of Hindu celebrations and festivals such as Vinayakar Chaturthi, Saraswathi Pooja, and other festive occasions.
In 2025, Vijay once again chose not to extend wishes for Chithirai 1 – the Tamil New Year celebrated by Tamils across the globe. This marks the second consecutive year he has skipped the occasion since launching his political party.
Instead of directly wishing “Tamil Puthandu Vaazhthukkal”, Vijay struck an elusive note like a filtered Dravidian Stock extending “Chithirai Thirunaal wishes”
No Wishes For Krishna Jayanti
Vijay cautiously neglected even the Hindu festival of Krishna Jayanthi on 26 August 2024.
Wishing For Christian, Muslim Festivals & Other Special Days
He has acknowledged and wished for Muslim festivals like Ramzan and Eid, Christian festivals like Easter, as well as neutral days such as May 1 (Labour Day), Ambedkar Jayanti, Independence Day, and Mother’s Day.
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The arrest of Muralidharan Sivalingam, founder of the Indian Centre for Animal Rights and Education (INCARE), by the Greater Chennai Police on Sunday has triggered a sharp debate online, with several citizens alleging that harassment complaints are increasingly being weaponised in disputes related to stray dog management.
The police booked him under Section 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act, and the Information Technology Act. He was subsequently remanded to judicial custody.
The arrest followed a complaint from five women, all animal welfare volunteers from the city, who accused him of weeks of gender-based online harassment, cyberstalking, and defamation.
Counter-Allegations Online: “A Familiar Pattern in Stray Dog Disputes”
However, the arrest has also prompted pushback from several social-media users who claim that such complaints are often used as a tactic in conflicts over stray dog feeding and welfare practices.
According to these users, there is a “standard operating pattern” in housing societies and public spaces, where individuals who object to feeding dogs in common areas are accused of harassment.
Some online commentators described it as an “old trick used in many stray-dog disputes,” alleging that:
women volunteers frequently file harassment or eve-teasing complaints when confronted over illegal feeding spots,
online arguments quickly escalate into police complaints,
and activist groups allegedly coordinate these actions with large NGOs and vaccine-advocacy networks.
Netizens argue that people who respond sharply to online abuse end up facing legal consequences, while organised groups push the narrative. Several posts criticised the Tamil Nadu Police, saying the force had “fallen into a trap” by arresting Muralidharan before a fuller investigation into both sides of the dispute.
According to this perspective, the legal system is being weaponized. The women’s police complaint, which details being tagged in posts with derogatory language and having their activities misrepresented, is seen by Sivalingam’s supporters as the predictable second step in this process—a move they allege is taught and encouraged by a larger “vaccine lobby and NGOs” with vested interests.
