A dispute between two factions within the Tirunelveli Diocese of Church of South India (CSI) ended up in a clash with supporters of Tirunelveli DMK MP Gnana Thiraviyam attacking and hitting a Christian pastor who was opposing them.
The CSI – Tirunelveli Parish oversees several schools and colleges, and elections are held to select correspondents for these educational institutions. Previously, DMK MP Gnanathiraviyam was chosen as the correspondent for Palayangottai St John’s College.
In the administration of the Tirunelveli CSI Diocese, there has been a conflict between Bishop Rev. A.R.G.S.T. Barnabas and Lay Secretary Jayasingh, who lead opposing factions. DMK MP Gnana Thiaraviyam is a supporter of Lay Secretary Jayasingh.
The DMK MP who was a member of the Governing Body of the Tirunelveli Diocese and was also functioning as the correspondent of St. John’s school that comes under the diocese was removed from the posts. He was replaced by one Arul Manickam.
The decision upset the supporters of the DMK MP, leading to a confrontation between the two sides at the college premises on Friday (23 June 2023).
In the midst of this rivalry, Mr. Godfrey Noble, a supporter of Bishop Barnabas, visited the CSI Diocesan Office on North High Ground Road on Monday (26 June 2023) in an attempt to resolve the dispute with the DMK MP. However, he was reportedly chased and attacked by a few individuals when he attempted to enter the office. In the visuals, the Christian pastor Noble can be seen being slapped and kicked by supporters of the DMK MP.
Noble later filed a complaint with the Tirunelveli Police and Bishop Barnabas complained to the DMK high command about the DMK MP’s behaviour. DMK General Secretary Duraimurugan has issued a notice demanding an explanation for the incident within seven days and also warned that disciplinary action will be taken if he fails to give proper explanation.
A case has also been registered against the DMK MP and Jay Singh, Moonradaippu John and Michael associated with a church group. The sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) pertaining to rioting, intentionally causing harm, making criminal threats, and aiding and abetting have been slapped against the DMK MP by the state police.
According to latest reports, DMK MP has applied an anticipatory bail to avoid arrest.
More About Godfrey Noble
Christian pastor and a self-proclaimed ‘Bishop’ named Godfrey Noble, runs a party called ‘All India Democracy Protection Kazhagam’ (AIJPK/AIDPK).
In the run up to the 2021 Assembly elections, Godfrey Noble threatened that MK Stalin’s dream of becoming Chief Minister would remain a dream if his party’s demands are not me. He demanded that 7% of the 234 seats (16 seats) be given to his party and Christians. He also demanded that they be given appropriate representation in the Cabinet with the Department of Minority Affairs exclusively allocated for his party.
He also went on to state that Christian population in Tamil Nadu is much higher than what is in the official records. He said that government records won’t give the actual Christian population and emphasized that 35% of the population (2.75 crore voters) are Christians.
He also warned that those (parties) who don’t respect Christians would be taught a lesson.
He also quipped that DMK MLAs would do nothing except pat the bench in the Assembly if Christians were to face problems.
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