With the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections approaching, the DMK government has come under scrutiny for what appears to be a state-sponsored outreach to Christian voters. A banner displayed at an official “awareness programme” organised by the Tamil Nadu State Minorities Commission prominently featured overt Christian imagery and two controversial logos — one of the Arise and Shine Missionary Diocese and another resembling that of the Free Church of England.
The event, titled “Awareness Camp for Tamil Nadu Christians,” was held in Chennai on 28 October 2025. The programme was jointly presented by the Tamil Nadu State Minorities Commission and the Ezhumbi Prakasi Missionary Archdiocese, with a large image of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin displayed at the centre of the banner.
At the gathering, which was attended by bishops, pastors, and clergy from across the state, Rev. Fr. S. Joe Arun, Chairperson of the Tamil Nadu Minorities Commission, declared that “only the Hon. Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu can provide protection to the religious and linguistic minorities in Tamil Nadu.” Commission Vice-Chairman I. Irai Anban Kuthus was also present.
Rev. Arun outlined the Commission’s ongoing consultation programmes and listed welfare measures extended to minority communities under the DMK government. He also received petitions from attendees, including a proposal to establish a welfare board for pastors similar to the existing one for temple preachers, assuring that the matter would be recommended to the government.
However, what caught attention was the inclusion of missionary organization logos on an official state-sponsored event banner — a move that raises serious questions about the interference of Church in determining electoral outcomes.
The logos on the event banner also appear on the New Anglican Synod website.
One of the featured entities, the Arise and Shine Missionary Diocese, openly identifies itself as an evangelical Christian body that indulges in church planting and conversions.
About Arise And Shine Missionary Diocese
Its founder Rt. Rev. Dr. K. Jayasingh describes his mission as being guided “in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,” adding that his passion for evangelism grew during his theological studies at the Truth Bible Research Institute. The diocese claims to operate over 60 churches across Vellore and Ranipet districts, with activities including orphanage support and pastor training.
The stated objectives of the New Anglican Synod missionary organization include church planting, theological and legal education, training for bishops, youth and women’s ministries, prayer and spiritual support, advocacy for the “suffering church,” and fostering cross-cultural global mission partnerships. These initiatives are presented as part of their broader mission to strengthen and expand Christian communities in India.
Free Church Of England
The second emblem on the banner — the Free Church of England — is equally contentious. While there is no functioning Free Church of England institution in Tamil Nadu today, the name traces back to the Free Church of Scotland mission that founded the Anderson Church in the 19th century. Located on NSC Bose Road, George Town, the historic church, originally called the College Chapel, is now part of the Church of South India (CSI).
Historically, FCE has engaged in mission and “associated church/connexion” work internationally (including India) — for instance, the UK FCE website reports bishops travelling to Chennai to meet Indian clergy in 2018.
The presence of these explicitly religious insignias on the banner of a government event has prompted questions about the DMK government’s use of public funds for religiously targeted outreach. Critics have called it a thinly veiled attempt to consolidate the Christian vote amid growing political competition — particularly after actor Vijay, a Catholic Christian, announced his political entry ahead of the 2026 polls.
By allowing missionary organizations and even a church historically linked to British-era Protestant missions to appear on a Tamil Nadu government commission’s official banner, observers argue that the DMK has blurred the line between governance and sectarian mobilisation.
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