The ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu consistently carries out its efforts to court the minority communities in the state. The ministers (including the HR&CE Minister) actively participate in meetings with minority groups to solidify their vote bank, a strategy that is well-known to the citizens of Tamil Nadu. For example, immediately after their victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, DMK MPs, especially those from the party’s first families, met with George Antonysamy, the controversial Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore, who had written an article to influence voters using religious sentiments advocating Christian support for the DMK in the recent Lok Sabha elections.

Against this backdrop, on 16 July 2024, DMK Minister for Milk & Dairy Development, Mano Thangaraj, attended the All-India Federation of Christian Churches’ Second Conference of Pastors as the chief guest. The conference, held at the Jesus Calls Prayer House in Vanagaram, Chennai, reaffirmed the Dravidian agenda of glorifying British colonial rule and the role of Christian missionaries during the Indian freedom struggle.

DMK Minister Mano Thangaraj began his speech at the conference by expressing gratitude to the pastors present, quoting a Bible verse: “For Kings and All Those in Authority, That We May Live Peaceful and Quiet Lives.” He thanked them for their prayers and then shifted focus to his main agenda, extolling the contributions of Christian missionaries.

He urged the Christian community to understand and teach the history of how Christianity arrived in the Indian subcontinent and the impact it had. Thangaraj then recounted the pre-independence era of India, highlighting the caste-based discrimination that existed. He specifically spoke about the Thol Seelai Porattam (Upper Cloth Revolt), a significant cultural movement led by women of the Nadar community fighting for their right to cover their breasts. He shamefully credited Reverend Mede with championing this cause, claiming that the Christian missionary’s support was instrumental in opposing Brahmanical supremacy in the Travancore state.

Continuing to spread historical half-truths, DMK Minister Thangaraj falsely credited the abolition of the practice of Sati to Christian missionary Governor-General of British India, Lord William Bentinck, contradicting historical facts. Sati was a ritual where a widow immolated herself on her husband’s funeral pyre. Thangaraj also attributed the progress in widow remarriage to another missionary, John Baptiste Trincal, a French Jesuit.

Thangaraj emphasized that all Christians should understand this history, acknowledging the suffering endured to create a more equitable India. The he advised the community to embrace unity and avoid caste discrimination within them, calling it a shame and stating that such issues are not addressed in the Bible. Thangaraj said, “It is my humble request that if we come as Christians we should learn to be together. If it comes to a Christian, you should not talk about the caste structure, it is an ugliness and a shame. Nowhere in the Bible is it taught.” He also urged pastors to stay informed about politics, Subtly suggesting DMK’s political activities said, “I will not say that you (pastors) should take part in politics, but it is my opinion that you should be aware of it. Apart from that, the congregation should also keep the people informed.”

He concluded his speech by contrasting the freedom of worship in the USA with the situation in India, sharing a story about a Catholic pastor who recounted the freedoms of religion in the USA during a flight with Minister Mano Thangaraj. Thangaraj said, “The Hindus living there (USA) are one percent. All of them went from India. They have the right to build temples wherever they want, the number of Muslims who can be there is very small. We all know the Twin Towers, when the Twin Towers were destroyed by Islamic terrorists, there were so many deaths. But after that, the government allowed a big mosque to be built near it, because there is freedom of religion, secularism prevails there.”

He then went on to mock Rishi Sunak, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, for following the Indian cultural tradition of bowing to elders for blessings. This part of his speech was widely condemned by netizens on the internet.

Although the DMK’s strategy to win the minority vote is quite transparent, spreading falsehoods to support this agenda is quite unethical. For example, they falsely attribute the struggle for Nadar women’s liberation in the Thol Seelai Porattam and the abolition of Sati to Christian missionary.

Contrary to the minister’s agenda the true historical account says it otherwise that it was the Nadar women who started the protest, which began with the Nadar women’s courageous act of defiance against the breast tax imposed by the authorities in Travancore province. It is to be noted that Nangeli, a brave Nadar woman who cut off her breasts to protest the tax, has become a legendary figure in this struggle. The Mulachiparambu area, associated with this historic protest, is now a revered site of worship.

Likewise, the abolition of Sati is properly credited to Indian Hindu reformers such as Ram Mohan Roy. Similarly, throughout the Indian freedom struggle, there were many Hindu reformers who worked to end discriminatory practices and bring about social reform. It is a well-established fact that Christian missionaries and the British Empire were more interested in conversions rather than genuine community reform. This is underscored by the 1858 proclamation by Lord Canning at the Durbar in Allahabad, where he declared that the British would not interfere with Indian customs and traditions, primarily to maintain their rule.

Other Instances Of DMK Leaders Glorifying Christian Missionaries And British Rule

DMK MLA Appavu

DMK MLA and Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker M. Appavu had declared that the MK Stalin-led government in the state was formed by Christians and for Christians.

Appavu openly admitted 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’.

DMK Minister PTR Palanivel Thiagarajan

Tamil Nadu Finance Minister PTR Palanivel Thiagarajan hailed Christian Missionaries as torchbearers of social justice who had contributed to the development of the region.

“Be it in India or Tamil Nadu or even Madurai, the contribution of American missionaries is not always talked about much. The link between Madurai and American missionaries goes back to 1881 or even beyond. They contributed to the overall development of the region by providing educational and medical facilities, though they were not the colonising power here,” Palanivel Thiagarajan was quoted saying in The Hindu.

Palanivel Thiagarajan also said that the work of American Christian missionaries across the world championed the cause of people’s welfare, be it the civil rights movement in the USA or the Dravidian movement in Tamil Nadu.

MK Stalin

CM Stalin himself had said that his government was formed because of Christians while participating in the platinum jubilee celebrations of the Church of South India in September 2021.

“The government that is there in Tamil Nadu today is one that has been created by you. I won’t call it as my government. This is our government.”, CM Stalin said.

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The post DMK Minister Mano Thangaraj Hails Christian Missionaries, Glorifies British Rule, Asks Christians To Unite At All-India Federation Of Christian Churches Conference appeared first on The Commune.

During the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly session that commenced on 20 June 2024, Speaker M Appavu reproached Minister Mano Thangaraj of the Milk and Dairy Development portfolio for attempting to critique the ruling BJP government at the Centre while responding to the debate on grant requests on 22 June 2024.

Thangaraj participated in discussions concerning the Dairy Department’s subsidy request, where he also unveiled new initiatives. However, his address took a controversial turn as he launched into a critique of the BJP’s policies, accusing them of taking control of various institutions, intimidating opposition parties, and engaging in divisive propaganda.

Speaker Appavu intervened promptly, admonishing Thangaraj for straying from the debate’s focus. Speaker Appavu said, “We drop the word ‘false’ from the Assembly records, (it’s) untruthful .. Come to the subject, come to the subject.”  Minister Mano Thangaraj justified that it is necessary for a political party to speak on politics, “Mr. Chairman, we as a political party should talk a little about politics, we are standing after the end of a critical election, I will finish in the time you have given me, please I’m asking you to allow me to speak.”

Appavu emphasized the importance of parliamentary etiquette and urged Thangaraj to adhere to the established norms of decorum and not to speak like in a political rally on the Assembly floor. Despite Thangaraj’s attempt to justify his remarks as pertinent to political discourse following a critical election, Appavu reiterated the need for relevance and civility within departmental debates. The Speaker redirected Thangaraj to discuss matters pertinent to the dairy sector, instructing him to refrain from irrelevant discussions.

Again Speaker Appavu warned, “They have spoken in the debate on the grant request of the Milk and Dairy Development department, and everyone’s wish is to answer it, and we should go beyond that… you can just touch touchstone of reality. It is not polite if you speak like you are speaking outside in the (political) platform, the assembly has some civility and you have to behave according to it, but if you speak beyond that, it is not good.”

Later, Minister Thangaraj reassured that he would uphold the decorum of the assembly sessions. However, the Speaker urged the minister to drop the issue, indirectly referencing senior ministers. Despite this, the minister cited the Human Development Index once more and uttered that India tops in false propaganda. This prompted the Speaker to express anger, demanding that the minister stick to the relevant topic. The Speaker warned that anyway the irrelevant remarks would be expunged from the assembly records. Subsequently, Thangaraj shifted his focus to the dairy industry, announcing plans for the purchase of 1.8 million liters of milk and assuring the procurement of 6.6 million liters in the near future.

பேரவையில் மனோ தங்கராஜ் சொன்ன ஒற்றை வார்த்தையால் டென்ஷனான அப்பாவு… சட்டென மாறிய அமைச்சரின் முகம்..!#TNAssembly | #SpeakerAppavu | #CMMKStalin | #DMK | #MinisterManoThangaraj | #PolimerNews pic.twitter.com/A18QdGdEuf

— Polimer News (@polimernews) June 22, 2024

(with inputs from DTNext)

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The post TN: Speaker Appavu Rebukes Dairy Minister Mano Thangaraj For Off-Topic Criticism Of BJP During Dairy Debate During Assembly Session appeared first on The Commune.

In a recent incident in Tamil Nadu, a man from Kanyakumari district has filed a formal complaint with Marthandam police alleging that he is being threatened with kidnapping and murder by the brother of a DMK minister, which has caused widespread shock.

Muthazhagan, who runs Tasmac bars in the area, stated in his complaint that Jayan Thangaraj, brother of Milk & Dairy Development Minister Mano Thangaraj, made these threats. Muthazhagan also claimed that Jayan Thangaraj had abducted another bar owner named Bensam and kept him confined in a house, leading to fears for his own safety. According to reports, Bensam and Muthazhagan were involved in a financial transaction related to acquiring rights to operate a bar from Zenith. Allegedly, after taking money, they backed out of the deal, prompting Zenith to inform Jayan Thangaraj about the situation regarding the promised rights. Subsequently, an audio recording purportedly capturing Jayan Thangaraj and Zenith discussing the abduction of Bensam in a car has gone viral in the social media.

In the recorded conversation between Jayan Thangaraj and Zenith, Jayan Thangaraj inquires, “How much money did you give to Muthazhagan regarding the bar matter?” to which Zenith responds, “I gave him 2/80 lakh rupees and some.”

Jayan Thangaraj asserts, “I will catch the two of them and get the money.” Zenith insists, “Get it brother, don’t leave even a penny. Even if I get less, it’s enough; I need to get admitted in the hospital.” Jayan then says, “I will put it.” Zenith urges, “Recover it all.” Jayan concludes, “Alright, I’ll call you later.” Zenith ends with, “Thrash his face.”

In response to this matter, DMK Minister for Milk and Dairy Development, Mano Thangaraj, clarified that appropriate action has been initiated based on the filed complaint. He emphasized that there is no association between himself and his brother Jayan Thangaraj in this issue.

(With Inputs From Thanthi TV)

The post DMK Minister Mano Thangaraj’s Brother Allegedly Issues Death Threat To TASMAC Bar Owner, Minister Denies Links To Brother appeared first on The Commune.

Tensions rose at the Vaikasi Visakam festival at Velimalai Murugan Temple near Thakkalai in Kanyakumari district after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and members of a Hindu organisation objected to the participation of DMK minister Mano Thangaraj, who is a Christian and had recently mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi doing Sashtanga Namaskaram.

Following the protest, 63 individuals, including M.R. Gandhi, a Member of the Legislative Assembly (M.L.A.), were subsequently arrested. The event, which was presided over by the District Collector, had left the local community in disappointment.

The Velimalai Murugan Temple is situated in Kumarakovil in Kanya Kumari district. Yesterday, the temple, which falls under the administration of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, witnessed the grand procession of the Vaikasi Visakam festival. Lord Murugan, accompanied by Valli and Devasena, participated in one Charriot, while Lord Vinayaka joined another. The procession was inaugurated by Ministers Anitha Radhakrishnan and Mano Thangaraj.

During the event, however, members of the BJP and Hindu organisations protested the participation of DMK Minister Mano Thangaraj, a converted Christian. Several Hindu leaders gathered near the temple, including M.R. Gandhi, MLA and district leader of the BJP, Dharmaraj, leader of the Hindu Makkal Katchi, Arjun Sampath, leader of the Hindu Munani, and Misa Solomon, representative of the Kottai Purappadalar.

The Thakkalai Hindu Munnani had already filed a complaint with the sub-collector’s office protesting Minister Mano Thangaraj’s participation as a sign of protest as he frequently mocked Hindu faith in the past.

அழைப்பிதழில் உள்ள யாரும் கலந்து கொள்ளாமல் பொதுமக்கள் தேரை வடம்பிடித்து இழுத்தனர்… pic.twitter.com/hPqLmO68B6

— A.T.Elangovan (@elangovan_HM) June 1, 2023

As Hindu leaders gathered in front of the chariot, DMK cadres and supporters of DMK Ministers Mano Thangaraj and Anitha Radhakrishnan flocked to the scene, creating a tense atmosphere.

Later, police officers led by Kumbakonam district SP Hariharan and Tenkasi SP Krishnaraj arrested 63 people, including M.R. Gandhi, MLA, and Arjun Sampath.

Earlier, the chariot festival at Kanyakumari Bhagavathy Amman Temple commenced at 7 AM, preceding the procession at Kumaragiri Murugan Temple. Ministers Anitha Radhakrishnan and Mano Thangaraj inaugurated this event as well. Members of the BJP and Hindu organisations also expressed their opposition to DMK Minister Mano Thangaraj’s participation at Bhagavathy Amman Temple.

However, Hindu Munnani state spokesperson said on Twitter that the chariot procession was held with public support and without the presence of those named in the notice, including DMK Minister Mano Thangaraj.

Mano Thangaraj, the present Dairy Minister of Tamil Nadu, originates from Kanyakumari district and follows the Christian faith. During his time in college, he served as the student union president at Marthandam Christian College. He entered politics as a member of the DMK and was elected as an MLA in 2016. He secured victory again in the 2021 assembly election and assumed the role of Minister of Information Technology. However, due to his underwhelming performance in that department, he was reassigned to the dairy department during a recent cabinet reshuffle. Mano Thangaraj has been known to make occasional derogatory remarks about Hinduism. He seems to disregard the need to show respect towards the majority religion while practicing his own alternative faith. His tendency to express religious opinions has often landed him in controversies.

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The post Hindu Munnani Tries To Prevent DMK Min Who Insulted Hindu Tradition From Participating In Temple Festival appeared first on The Commune.

In yet another instance of insulting women, a DMK spokesperson has made derogatory and misogynist comments targeting women leaders of the BJP Tamil Nadu.

DMK leader Saidai Sadiq, who was speaking at a meeting in RK Nagar organised by DMK Minister of Information Technology and Digital Services Mano Thangaraj, used derogatory language to describe the women leaders of the BJP who are also working as actors. The incident took place with the Minister on stage.

Saidai Sadiq said,”How will you expand the BJP in Tamil Nadu? The BJP has four actresses. Khushbu, Namitha, Gayathri Raghuramm, Gauthami. We built the DMK party in North Madras with strong leaders such as TR Balu and Balraman in the past, and Elaya Aruna in the present.”

He referred to all four Tamil Nadu BJP actresses as prostitutes, saying, “We built the party with strong leaders, but if you look at the leaders in the BJP, all four women are ‘items’ (prostitutes).”

He went on to say, “Khushbu once stated that the BJP will grow in Tamil Nadu. But I tell her that while hair can grow on Amit Shah’s head, lotus can never bloom in Tamil Nadu.”

He also made sexual innuendos about Khusbhu obliquely stating that the DMK leader Elaya Aruna had sex with Actress Kushboo several times.He used the word “Potrukiraru (போட்டிருக்கிறாரு)” – a Tamil cuss word used to mention having sex.

He then continued, “Nobody should misinterpret what I said. I told that our leader Elaya Aruna, had many public meetings with Kushboo when she was in the DMK. ”

He asserted, “Can people like these (prostitutes) group together to destroy the DMK and strengthen the BJP? No.”

This speech of the DMK leader comes a few days after Chief Minister MK Stalin said that the party leaders are giving him sleepless nights through their actions. The speech of the DMK leader has drawn flak from the people.

அமைச்சர் மனோ தங்கராஜ் தலைமையில் நேற்று சென்னை ஆர் கே நகரில் நடந்த தி மு க பொதுக்கூட்டத்தில் சைதை சாதிக் பேசிய பேச்சு , இதையெல்லாம் முதல்வர் வரவேற்கிறார் போலும் pic.twitter.com/M7rhFmvcRK

— kishore k swamy (@sansbarrier) October 27, 2022

Reacting to this speech, BJP leader Khushbu took to her social media and asked if this is part of the new Dravidian model under MK Stalin?

When men abuse women,it just shows wat kind of upbringing they have had & the toxic environment they were brought up in.These men insult the womb of a woman.Such men call themselves followers of #Kalaignar
Is this new Dravidian model under H'ble CM @mkstalin rule?@KanimozhiDMK

— KhushbuSundar (@khushsundar) October 27, 2022

With this speech triggering social media outrage, DMK MP Kanimozhi who is the party’s Deputy General Secretary Kanimozhi and the women’s wing secretary condemned the speech of Sadiq.

I apologise as a woman and human being for what was said.This can never be tolerated irrespective of whoever did it,of the space it was said or party they adhere to.And I’m able to openly apologise for this because my leader @mkstalin and my party @arivalayam don’t condone this. https://t.co/FyVo4KvU9A

— Kanimozhi (கனிமொழி) (@KanimozhiDMK) October 27, 2022

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