
The University of Madras, one of India’s oldest public universities has found itself at the center of bizarre, surprising, flabbergasting, and even grotesque controversy due to a recent decision that has left many in shock.
The university’s Department of Ancient History and Archaeology, under the Sir S. Subramania Ayyar Endowment Lectures, has scheduled a lecture on the topic: “How to Spread Christianity in India” and “Why Need This Margam” which translates to “Why We Need This Religion”
The official invitation, which has gone viral, explicitly promotes these topics under the university’s banner. It reads, ”
UNIVERSITY OF MADRAS
DEPARTMENT OF ANCIENT HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY
Cordially invites you to the SIR S. SUBRAMANIA AYYAR ENDOWMENT LECTURE 2024-2025
To be delivered by Er. K. Siva Kumar, B.Ε., Μ.Β.Α Chief Engineer, Hyderabad
Topics:
- “How to Spread Christianity in India”
- “Why Need This Margam”
Date: 14.03.2025 (Friday) | Time: 02.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Venue: MODERN LECTURE HALL, Department of Ancient History and Archaeology, University of Madras, Chepauk, Chennai – 600 005
All are welcome
Dr. J. Soundararajan
Associate Prof. and Head I/C, Chairperson – School of Historical Studies
Department of Ancient History & Archaeology
University of Madras, Chepauk, Chennai – 600 005.”
Subramania Ayyar Endowment Lecture in “University of Madras” on “How to spread Christianity in India!” by one ‘Siva’ Kumar!
Fundamentalism? Fanaticism? Anyone? pic.twitter.com/umXYJWOkAl
— Dr.SG Suryah (@SuryahSG) March 7, 2025
What has particularly shocked the public is that these religiously charged topics are being hosted by the Department of Ancient History and Archaeology, rather than a department dedicated to theology or religious studies. The move has sparked outrage, as it appears to promote proselytization under the guise of historical and archaeological discourse, raising questions about academic neutrality and the role of public institutions in religious advocacy.
This unprecedented incident has left many bewildered, with critics questioning how a secular tax-payer funded institution could veer into blatant Christian proselytization rather than focusing on its core disciplines of history and archaeology.
Several netizens took to social media to criticize the university, questioning its decision and expressing their outrage. One user sarcastically asked, “Fundamentalism? Fanaticism?” while another pointed out, “How on earth are these topics related to archaeology? This is getting crazier by the day!” Others reacted with disbelief, calling it “absurd,” “weird,” and “What is this nonsense?” The backlash continued as many questioned the academic relevance of such lectures under a history and archaeology department.
Ask PhD in Mass Conversion @thirumaofficial
— வசி சிவசித்தன் Vasi Sivasithan (@VSivasithan) March 7, 2025
S Subramania Ayyar endowment lectures are usually based on Archeology, and conducted by that Dept. How on earth these topics related to Archeology ? It’s becoming crazier by the day
— 𑀓𑀺𑀭𑀼𑀱𑁆𑀡𑀷𑁆 🇮🇳 (@tskrishnan) March 7, 2025
There’s a need for handling these things the hard way in Tamil Nadu. Unless it’s taken up in an organised hardcore way these elements will get ahead inch by inch.
— AiAiyae (@Aiaiyae) March 7, 2025
Why need this margam? Ah 😨 Oru Margam ah thaan irukaanunga ivanunga? 🤡😉
— Indian From South (@DefeatVictory) March 7, 2025
https://twitter.com/0Truth_Triumph/status/1897987711484465215
What is this crap ??
— Tripurasundari (@TripuraKamakshi) March 7, 2025
What the ???
— Ram (@iyer_rao) March 7, 2025
Wierd …
— Harsh Ketan Jakhar 🇮🇳 (@HarshKetanJakh1) March 7, 2025
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