Senior AIADMK functionary Kovai Sathyan on Tuesday, 23 December 2025, made a series of serious allegations against the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), claiming that Christian missionary institutions in Tamil Nadu were being systematically mobilised for political purposes under pressure from individuals close to Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin.
Speaking during a televised discussion, Sathyan rejected the suggestion that the controversy playing out in public space was a staged political drama between the DMK and the BJP, asserting instead that what was visible was “only the tip of the iceberg.”
“I do not buy this point; let me tell you what is happening in Tamil Nadu. What you saw in the video is just the tip of the iceberg,” Sathyan said.
He alleged that the Tamil Nadu State Minority Commission had been politically compromised, stating that its chairman Joe Arun was a classmate of Udhayanidhi Stalin and had allegedly aligned the institution with the interests of the ruling party.
“The state minority commission’s head, Joe Arun, is a classmate of Udhayanidhi Stalin. The entire minority commission’s ecosystem has been bent in such a way that they take political stands and sides to favour the DMK,” Sathyan claimed.
The AIADMK leader further alleged that Joe Arun had faced allegations during his tenure as an office-bearer at Loyola Institute and had misused his authority, asserting that such developments were taking place “right under the nose of the Chief Minister.”
Escalating his claims, Sathyan alleged coordinated political mobilisation within church networks. “Last month, pastors across the churches were called to Chennai. They had a two-day meeting. They were trained and briefed to use churches during their sermon to canvass for DMK, and they have already started that,” he said.
Referring to recent public statements by religious figures, Sathyan said such interventions were not isolated incidents. “What you saw on the screen, one pastor trying to take sides for DMK, is nothing new. The entire missionary, particularly the Christian missionary, is working for DMK under the pressure of Joe Arun, who is Udhayanidhi’s classmate,” he alleged.
Sathyan also claimed that the matter had drawn international attention within church structures. “There is already a complaint filed with Rome, and they have constituted a one-member inquiry committee. A Father from Kerala has been deputed to inquire into the mismanagement of funds and the allegations of political links by the churches,” he said.
Race To Woo Christians Intensifies
The entire Christian missionary network is working for the DMK under pressure from Udhayanidhi Stalin’s classmate and state Minority Commission’s head Joe Arun…: @KovaiSathyan
Such political appeasement has never been the DMK’s approach;… pic.twitter.com/2fYF47rRk9
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) December 23, 2025
Sathyan further added, “They are not only using the machinery to canvass for them. They have started establishing alumni networks across the globe as well as in Tamil Nadu for money laundering. This has already taken place. Loyola, which wanted to celebrate its centenary – 100 years of Loyola – started establishing alumni networks across the globe: 100 crores for 100 years. Suddenly they opened one chapter in Dubai; it got closed. Now they are opening these alumni centres left, right and centre across Tamil Nadu purely to launder money for the DMK. And this has been done by Mr Joe Arun, who is now the state minority head. This is the extent to which they arm‑twist the entire churches and machinery.”
Race To Woo Christians Intensifies
They (DMK) is not only using the machinery to canvass but have also set up alumni networks in India and abroad to launder money…: @KovaiSathyan
The UGC also withdrew Loyola’s deemed university status because it failed to prove land… pic.twitter.com/9aySFreaLB
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) December 23, 2025
The allegations came amid recent controversies involving remarks by the Minority Commission chairman likening Chief Minister MK Stalin to Jesus, and statements by another father and college principal questioning support for actor-turned-politician Vijay.
In October 2025, in what seemed to be a targeted outreach to the DMK’s traditional Christian vote base, a taxpayer-funded “awareness programme” was held in Chennai. The event was organised by the Tamil Nadu State Minorities Commission and featured overt Christian imagery and biblical verses alongside a large photograph of Chief Minister MK Stalin. Addressing bishops and clergy, Commission chairman Rev. Fr. S. Joe Arun asserted that only Stalin could protect religious and linguistic minorities. Critics argue the programme amounted to political campaigning using state machinery, reflecting the DMK’s anxiety over shifting Christian political loyalties towards Vijay’s TVK ahead of 2026.
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