DMK MLA and Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker M. Appavu has stoked a controversy saying that the MK Stalin-led government in the state was formed by Christians and for Christians.
In a viral video that is doing the rounds on social media, Appavu openly admits that the DMK came to power because of the ‘fasting’ and support of Roman Catholic Christians and that Chief Minister MK Stalin acknowledges that the DMK government was installed with the help of Christians.
“I frequently tell this. This is ‘your’ government. A government that has been formed by ‘you’. A government that has been formed because of your ‘fasting’. A government that has been brought by your prayers and wishes to the Lord. This is a government for ‘you’.” the DMK MLA said while addressing a gathering of Catholic Christians on the occasion of St. Paul’s Seminary held in Trichy on June 29, 2022.
He further added that Christianity and Christian priests were the root causes for the formation of the DMK government which talks about ‘social justice’ and ‘Dravida Model’.
“I’ve already told this to the pastors many times. You don’t have to expect anyone. You can decide among yourselves and figure out the problems that you face and and bring it to the atttention of our Chief Minister. He won’t reject it all because he knows very well that this government was formed by you. So, this is ‘your’ government. He is ‘your’ Chief Minister. You can boldy place any request before him. Make the necessary arrangement for that without any delay. To support you, I am there, brother Inigo (another MLA who won on DMK ticket) is there, our wonderful brother Peter Alphonse (Congress leader and Chairman of State Minorities Commission), is there. We will stand by you, listen to your pleas, and take it to the attention of the Hon’ble Chief Minister for taking necessary action.”, Appavu told the Christian pastors and other Christians assembled.
He also said that Tamil Nadu wouldn’t have developed at all without Christians.
“The entire development of Tamil Nadu has been because of Christian missionaries. They started colleges and schools. If Tamil Nadu stands tall today as the best state in India and in the domain of education, social justice and Dravidam, it is because of your hardwork. You are the foundation stone. Tamil Nadu was built on the foundations laid by you.”, the DMK MLA said.
“If not for the reverand ‘fathers’, ‘sisters’, and ‘brothers’, Tamil Nadu would’ve remained like Bihar. If Tamil Nadu and Kerala stands high in the country today, the credit should go to Christians especially Catholic Christians priests. That is the actual truth.”, DMK’s Appavu said and went on to heap praises on the British rule stating that it is because the British passed a law that allowed buying of lands that Christians were able to buy lands and build the institution.
He also said that if not for Lord Macaulay, education for all wouldn’t have been possible.
“If truth be told, Appavu was built and brought to this position by Catholic fathers, Catholic sisters, and Catholic reverand brothers. If Tamil Nadu has reached the top in education today, the root cause for that has been the schools and colleges started by Catholic Christians, the Christian pastors and sisters who taught.”, the DMK MLA who is also the Assembly Speaker said.
In his speech he says that he is the Assembly Speaker and doesn’t mention anything contrary to facts. However he mentioned that DMK chief MK Stalin studied at Loyola College, Chennai while the fact is that Stalin completed his pre-university course at Chennai’s Vivekananda College, and obtained a history degree from Presidency College, Chennai.
Here is the video of the speech.
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