Hindu solidarity and unity exhibited in the massive rally supporting the cause for the Chennimalai hill and temple!
The Christian announcement about the change of name of Chennimalai: The Chennimalai Murugan Temple, situated in Erode district and boasting a history of over 3000 years, is in news due to a recent contentious speech by the local Christian Munnani group proposing to rename it as “Kalvaari Malai” or “Yesu Malai”[1]. This proposition has stirred controversy among the local Hindus, who have been venerating Chennimalai Murugan for generations[2]. Chennimalai is situated between Erode and Coimbatore. It is known as Siragiri and Chenniyangiri in Devanagiri, and Chennimalai in Tamil, the hill lends its name to the city at its base. The hill is also referred to as Sigaragiri, Pushpagiri, and Siragiri. Notably, the revered hymn ‘Kanda Sashti Kavacham,’ praising Lord Murugan, was first staged by Sri Bala Devaraya Swamigal at this temple. Therefore, evidently, the attempts of the Christians have been atrocious, heinous and irreligious too.
Modus operandi of the Christian encroachment: Erecting a cross, encroaching the place, regularly conducting prayers, putting up temporary shed, converting it into brick structure with doors and windows, getting electricity and regularizing encroachment by getting patta, registration etc., and thus, the illegally encroached area getting legal status, that too, as a church – have been going on. Then, the structure is converted into igger one, with houses coming up surrounding it. Slowly, then it is converted into a township. This happened at many places in Tamilnadu. The Tamilnadu Government officials of different departments – Forest, Revenue, Electricity, Police and others not only aid and abet them, but a;so help them in many ways, obviously with mutual benefits.
Brief of what happened: One John Peter has started conducting prayers reportedly at his house, but, converting into fulfledged church with all their paraphernalia with crowd gathering on Suday and creating sound and noise. Obviously that have been disturbing the neighbours, but authorities keeping quite. Besides, the Christians have started their pla by constructing a small Church on the Chennimalai and declaring that it would named after their religion. Hindu Munnani state president Kadeswara Subramaniam has sought criminal action against Christian missionaries for alleging trying to convert Chennimalai Murugan temple hillock as theirs[3]. He also led a protest in the town against the missionaries on 13-10-2023 Friday[4]. Addressing the protesters, Subramaniam alleged that Arjunan alias John Peter from Pasuvapatty had bought a piece of land at Murungathozhuvu, where the Chennimalai Murugan temple hillock is located. He had conducted prayer meetings on the land without obtaining any permission, Subramaniam alleged.
What Actually Conspired: Unauthorised Christian prayer meetings took place in the predominantly Hindu community of Chennimalai, Erode District, causing local tensions[5]. It is quite common that the Christians on Sundays gather, putting up speakers and start shouting and singing and this would continue, even, if none is there in the church, i.e, these noise and shouting would be played through music system. These meetings aimed to promote the Christian faith and attracted attendees from outside the town[6]. Offensive remarks about Hindu deities were made during these gatherings through loudspeakers, deeply offending Hindu residents[7]. Despite causing issues, the unauthorised meetings continued[8]. The law enforcing authorities did not take the conginance of these violations. On 17 September, a confrontation occurred when members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) objected to the meetings and insisted on proper permissions[9]. The disagreement escalated into a physical altercation between the BJP members and the Hindu Munnani, resulting in a police case with charges, including attempted murder[10].
25-09-2023 Christian meeting – the support of political parties: The Christians organized a meeting and demanded that action should be taken and all arrested by the police. Christian organisations and political groups like the Revolutionary Youth Front, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), and MDMK demanded action against those opposing the prayer meetings. Two individuals, Chinnaswamy and Tamilarasan, were arrested by the police, which shocked BJP and Hindu Munnani members who felt the police acted unilaterally. A Christian demonstration on 26 September 2023 raised concerns as some speakers expressed intent to transform the Chennimalai Murugan temple hill into a “Kalvari Hill”. Hindu organisations mobilized support for protests, and the issue transformed into a religious matter, distressing Muruga devotees and prompting further demonstrations and tensions in the area.
Concern and alarm over the Chistian announcement over name change and abuses: The Hindu Munnani has accused the Christian Munnani, along with certain local Christian missionaries instigated by certain political parties, of publicly giving a controversial speech saying that the sacred Hindu worship site of Chennimalai will be renamed. The Hindu Munnani has strongly condemned this act, stating that it hurt the sentiments of Hindus. They have announced plans to stage a protest on 13 October 2023. Furthermore, they alleged that the Christian Munnani is undertaking these actions with the support of certain local politicians. The 13th Friday meeting has been a grand success, as nearly 25,000 devotees participated volunterrly to register their support and strength and cause. Significantly, many women participated singing slokas and devitional songs.
The support of the Hindu Makkal Katchi: In a recently released video by Indu Makkal Katchi head Arjun Sampath, a Tamil public speaker named Manjunathan expressed strong disapproval for the proposition to rename the sacred Hindu place of worship. He emphasised that Chennimalai holds immense historical and cultural significance in the Erode district, revered by their ancestors for generations. He said that the Christian Munnani’s suggestion to rename the temple has caused distress among Hindus, who have always been supportive of other communities without animosity. This effort to rename the temple is influenced by political motives and stated firmly that such actions will not succeed. He encouraged support for the protest against Christian Munnani’s divisive proposal on 13 October 2023. It is noteworthy to mention here that an entire hill of in Tamil Nadu was encroached by Christian missionaries for years. The Vajragiri hill located about 95 km from Chennai along the Chennai-Trichy highway, atop which exists the Pasupathiswarar temple was encroached and there were allegations of local Hindus being denied access to the temple.
Similar Incidents in Tamil Nadu: Legal Proceedings and Court Rulings: The Chennimalai controversy is not an isolated incident in Tamil Nadu. There have been ongoing disputes related to religious sites, encroachments, and attempts to rename sacred places, particularly involving Hindu temples and hills. These incidents have led to longstanding tensions and demands for government intervention. In a series of contentious incidents affecting Tamil Nadu’s heritage and religious sites, allegations of land encroachments and disputes have captured the public’s attention. These ongoing disputes have caused unrest among the local communities, sparking legal battles and debates. Located approximately 95 kilometers from Chennai along the Chennai-Trichy highway, the Vajragiri hill is home to the sacred Pasupathiswarar temple. Local Hindus have alleged that they have been denied access to the temple due to encroachments on the hill. Efforts to reclaim the area from the encroachers have been ongoing for several years, drawing attention to the issue’s complexity and sensitivity.
Jesus Redeems- Lazarus case: The religious organisation, Jesus Redeems, has acquired 108 acres of land in the mountainous region of Thoranamalai, near Kadayam in the Tenkasi district. They have plans to establish a modern city with comprehensive amenities on this land. According to the Jesus Redeems website, the founder, Brother Mohan C Lazarus, claimed to have received divine guidance to acquire this mountainous area. The land was donated by a devotee, raising questions about the nature of the acquisition.
Tiruparangundram- Sikandar Dargah: In a highly contentious case, the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court recently refused to halt Islamic activities, including namaz, on the Thiruparankundram hill, which is also home to the Sri Subramanya Swamy temple. This dispute has intensified as some groups seek to rename the hill as ‘Sikkandar hill,’ alleging a saint by that name passed away on the hill. The court’s decision to permit namaz activities for 30 minutes, particularly during Bakrid, has ignited tensions in the region. Thiruparankundram is one of the six abodes of Lord Muruga, making this a matter of significant religious importance.
Tiruprangundram encroachment, a blot on the Muslims: Local Hindu organizations have long been opposing such encroachments and are urging the government to take action in removing the encroachers. They contend that such incidents are part of a larger pattern and are jeopardizing Tamil Nadu’s heritage and religious sites. These disputes continue to simmer and have become emblematic of the broader challenges faced by religious and heritage sites in the region. Legal proceedings and court rulings have played a role in shaping these disputes. The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court refused to stay namaz and other Islamic activities on Thiruparankundram hill, where the Sri Subramanya Swamy temple is located. This emboldened certain groups to carry out activities on the hill, leading to allegations of encroachment and opposition from Hindu outfits.
The Christian encroachment of Chennimalai illegal: The attempt to rename the Chennimalai Murugan Temple, the unauthorised Christian prayer meetings, and the ensuing tensions have created a complex and sensitive situation in Tamil Nadu. As devotees march to Chennimalai in protest and various political and religious groups become involved, the issue continues to evolve. The broader context of similar incidents in the state and legal challenges underscores the complexity of religious matters in the region, demanding attention and resolution from all stakeholders. The unfortunate, but, naked truth have been the total silence of the authorities in the encroachment. That is why the Christians have been emboldened and continue to encroach and occupy lands
[1] The Commune, “Christian Munnani” Calls For Renaming Murugan Temple Site Chennimalai As “Kalvaari/Yesu Malai”, Hindu Orgs Announce Protest, October 11, 2023
[5] The Organizer, Tamil Nadu: Religious tension mounts as Hindu devotees protest attempt to rename Chennimalai Murugan temple, T S Venkatesan Oct 11, 2023, 02:45 pm IST.
[7] Swarajya, TN: Hindu Orgs Announce Protest Against Christian Munnani Proposal To Rename Chennimalai Murugan Temple Hill As ‘Yesu/ Kalvaari Malai’, Swarajya staff, Friday, October 13, 2023 12:08 pm IST
[9] NewsBharati, Christian missionaries eye another Hindu temple! Rename Murugan Temple Site Chennimalai As “Kalvaari/Yesu Malai’?, 11-Oct-2023 17:00:10 PM.
Dismissal of Christian activist case by the Supreme Court – How thoroughly it was misconceived to get it dismissed? At the same time, do the Hindutwavadis worry about it or not?
Dismissal of Christian activist case reported in news: The stuff that appears in the print and electronic media has been used to write this narrative and they have been acknowledged in the footnotes as usual. The narrative as appeared has been taken faithfully and comments are added separately. The Supreme Court has dismissed the Petition filed by Dr. M. Deivanayagam, a Christian activist from Tamil Nadu seeking abolition of the practice of Manu Laws and principles of Varashrama[1] on September 2nd 2022. The Bench of Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice Hima Kohli termed the petition as ‘thoroughly misconceived'[2]. The journals dealing with Supre Court cases, cryptly reported about this case in a characteristic way. They may not be knowing much about the petitioner, though he has been mentioned as “a Christian activist” adding that he is “from Tamil Nadu.” Anyway, this man gets exposed for his frivolous attempts of filing petitions on his own apprehensive and imaginary grounds with vested “Christian interests.”
Writ petition filed in 2020 and decided on 02-09-2022: In 2020, the writ petition filed under Article 32 of the Constitution of India by Dr. M. Deivanayagam sought the following directions from the Apex Court[3]:
1. Abolition of the practice of principles of Laws of Manu / Principles of Varashrama as the same leads to discrimination and diversifying the people of India on the basis of Religion, Language, Caste, Sect and etc.
2. Thus, to form a committee to investigate and identify the practice of law of Manu which are prevalent in various forms across India and declare them as unconstitutional.
Further, M.Deivanayagam had filed a Public Interest Litigation before Madras High Court in 2017 to remove atheistic inscriptions below the statues of Thanthai Periyar in Tamil Nadu. Further, the High Court had in 2019 dismissed the same holding that the followers of Thanthai Periyar, in exercise of the rights under Article 19 of the Constitution of India and the same has a right to disagree with the existence of God[4].
“The petition is thoroughly misconceived. The petition shall stand dismissed”: “The petition is thoroughly misconceived. The petition shall stand dismissed”, the Bench said in its order[5]. The Court quoted the prayers of Deivanayagam in its order while dismissing the petition[6]. Deivanayagam appeared in person n 02-09-2022 and argued his petition of the year 2020[7]. Thus, definitely, he must have been trained or advised on how to depose, what to talk and how to respond to the judges in the court. However, who are the legal advisers, how he filed petitions in the Supre Court etc., are not known. That he appeared in person proves that he has the logistics to come over here either by flight or train with all preparations. Moreover, a few months back, it was informed that he was bedridden and not talking with others and so on. However, he released his book with Tirumavalavan. Deivanayagam had filed the petition, invoking the jurisdiction under Article 32 of the Constitution, seeking abolition of the practice of principles of Laws of Manu / Principles of Varashrama on the ground that it led to discrimination and diversification of the people of India on the basis of religion, caste, language, sect etc[8]. The Petitioner also sought directions to the Union of India to form a Committee to investigate and identify the practice of law of Manu which, according to him are prevalent in various forms across India and sought to declare them as unconstitutional[9].
Can Christian activist file a petition against Periyar and hobnob with periyarists?: In 2019, the Madras High Court had dismissed Deivanayagam’s petition seeking the removal of the atheistic inscriptions below the statues of Thanthai Periyar in Tamil Nadu[10]. Incidentally, here, the Periyar had to be defended, as he was unwittingly fighting against Periyarism, analytical wisdom, self-respect and other “Dravidian virtues” reportedly or supposed to be followed by all faithful “Dravidian stock” working and living according to the principles of “Dravidian model.” Here, the moot question arises as to, “Can Christian activist file petition against Periyar and hobnob with periyarists?.” Ironically, he has been moving with such Periyarists and they have been significantly working with each other. More details can be read from here[11].
2017 petition heard and decided in 2019: That the petition W.P. No.28021/2017 was heard two years later and the judges to deliver judgment on 04-09-2019 has been intriguing. None reacted to the judgment or protested to remove any paragraphs from the judgment arguing that they offend their belief or so. Perhaps, most of them are not interested at all. The duo Rajiv Malhothra and Aravinda Neelakantan made much fuss about their favourite duo Deivanayagam and Devakala also keeping quite! Though from 2014 onward, many Hindutwa advocates, lawyers and legal experts have been out, it appears that they do not bother such cases. Of course, they might write in their own websites and journals, read by a hundred or two hundred, applaud and enjoy time otherwise.
“Hindu Religion is the Offshoot of St. Thomas Dravidian Christianity”: Deivanayagam has authored a book titled “Hindu Religion is the Offshoot of St. Thomas Dravidian Christianity” and has made controversial remarks in the past, including that Thiruvalluvar is a baptized Christian of the Church created by St.Thomas. Though, it is mentioned at the tail-end, the learned reporters have not elaborated or got into the facts and details of his bogus attempts with his wonderful and fantastic research on such unhistorical stories and myths. None of these legal forums with all their backing and support have not attempted to take up this issue. The fraudulent research of Acharya Paul, Arulappa connecting Deivanayagam and others has also been linked to a case that was argued in the Madras High Court.
November 2021- Deivanayagam released his book with Thirumavalavan: Viduthalai Chirutaigal Katchi founder and Lok Sabha MP Chidambaram, Thol Thirumavalavan, attended a book-releasing function recently in November 2021 at Chennai. Thirumavalavan spoke, quoting from Deivanayagam’s book. He said he has been researching for several decades, and he concluded that “Thiruvalluvar was a Christian and was baptised, received communion”. He said, “Saivam and Vaisnavism were created by Dravidians, Tamilians. Deivanayagam has written an explanatory note to Thirukural at a new angle”. In that, he said Thiruvalluvar was Christian. Thirumavalavan said Deivanayagam, in his book, claimed that the Kabaleeswar temple was razed to grounds in 1566 by Portuguese forces to build a church which is now called Santhome church. “I fear if the sana tana forces (Sangh Parivar) know this, they will try to pull it down “.
The judgment and its beneficiaries and of course the affected: It is not known as to where the Hindutwa lawyers, advocates and others have gone. Though, they have great lawyers and advocates, forums and legal wings, it is not known whether they are following these cases or not. Thus, in the 2019 case, it is very clear that K. Veeramany and Deivanayagam played dubious play and mischief, just to get publicity through the petition, because, whether it is head or tail, they are the winners and the opponents or the gullible attacked [who always do not know that they are attacked] and the Judges cleverly delivered the judgment giving much publicity to EVR with the English translation that occupies 60% of their judgments. Definitely, both have been the most benefited with the dismissed petition and the judgment. Here, in the 2022 case, now the latter gets the dubious status of appearing in the Supreme Court and fought his case as a great crusader. Gullible Hindus would continue to suffer, but the politicized and political Hindutwavadis enjoy…..
[3] The Daily Guardian, SUPREME COURT: REJECTS PLEA SEEKING ABOLITION OF VARNASHRAMA PRINCIPLES & LAW OF MANU; “MISCONCEIVED., Published 2:28 am IST on September 8, 2022By TDG Network
[7] Indian Law Information, Supreme Court rejected a petition seeking abolition of the practice of Varnashrama principles of Laws of Manu, By Tushar Gulati -September 7, 2022.
Reservation to the converted Dalits / SCs and the communalization of Secular polity in India – Politicization of caste, race and hierarchical systems among the religions (2)
Congress never wanted and BJP definitely does want such religion-based-quota: Major mainstream parties have been wary of disturbing the reservation hive for various reasons. The ruling BJP is ideologically opposed to the proposal, fearing it would incentivise religious conversion. The Congress does not want to stick its neck out to avoid a possible blowback from Dalits on sharing their reservation pie. For, if the quota becomes religion-neutral, there are concerns that Dalit Christians could corner all the benefits like jobs and electoral seats in reserved constituencies since they are better educated and more organised. Only the fringe elements supported by the regional parties that have divisive ideologies continue to support such legal wrangles. And these divisive parties have always been aided and abetted by the Chiristian and Mohammedan groups.
The Christian and Mohammedan groups play double roles: Christianity and Islam claimed, claim and continue to claim that they have been universal religions strictly following the utopian and egalitarian principles treating their believers equally in all aspects and respects. “Though textually, Christianity and Islam are egalitarian, deep caste discrimination within them is no secret, which is why Dalits among them want the SC quota,” thus, argues the columnist. Failing to get political redress, Dalit Christians approached the judiciary. However, their case fell in the Supreme Court earlier for want of empirical evidence. Later, a couple of NGOs filed a new PIL, citing the findings of a clutch of reports to buttress their demand for SC quota to all converts. And a bench led by Justice Chandrachud issued a notice to the Centre, hence the new panel. The committee’s terms of reference include examining the changes in customs, traditions, social status and discrimination of converts compared to their peer groups within the SC quota to get a better fix on the complex, multidimensional issue.
2024 Report would be submitted after the General Elections: However, by the time the panel’s report is submitted, the 2024 Lok Sabha polls would have been over[1]. Coincidentally, liberal judge Chandrachud would have almost completed his tenure as CJI, assuming incumbent U U Lalit recommends him as successor, going by the convention of naming the next in seniority for the top post[2]. That Justice Chandrachud did nudge the Centre to set up the panel is in itself an achievement. But it would be up to the next government and Chandrachud’s successor to pick up the threads and amicably settle the knotty question. Thus, judicial calculations can be made, but, evidently, the Christians have already made it an “international issue,” cleverly suppressing their racial, racist and racialist discriminations, crimes and genocide carried on in different parts of the globe and revealed even today, as happened in Canada in 2022.
The reservation under the Presidential Order 1950 is only for Hindus: The first order under this provision was issued in 1950, and covered only Hindus. Following demands from the Sikh community, an order was issued in 1956, including Sikhs of Dalit origin among the beneficiaries of the SC quota. In 1990, the government acceded to a similar demand from Buddhists of Dalit origin, and the order was revised to state: “No person who professes a religion different from the Hindu, the Sikh or the Buddhist religion shall be deemed to be a member of Scheduled Caste.” It does not. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) website states, “The rights of a person belonging to a Scheduled Tribe are independent of his/her religious faith.” Thus, the ST has been delinked with the religion, because of the age-old factors, issues and complexities[3]. Following the implementation of the Mandal Commission report, several Christian and Muslim communities have found a place in the Central and state lists of OBCs.
Private Bills, Congress government could not do anything till 2014: After 1990, a number of Private Member’s Bills were brought in Parliament for this purpose[4]. In 1996, a government Bill called The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Orders (Amendment) Bill was drafted, but in view of a divergence of opinions, the Bill was not introduced in Parliament[5]. The UPA government headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh set up two important panels: the National Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities, popularly known as the Ranganath Misra Commission, in October 2004; and a seven-member high-level committee headed by former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court Rajinder Sachar to study the social, economic, and educational condition of Muslims in March 2005. The Sachar Commission Report observed that the social and economic situation of Dalit Muslims and Dalit Christians did not improve after conversion.
The Ranganath Misra Commission – reservation for Muslims: The Ranganath Misra Commission, which submitted its report in May 2007, recommended that SC status should be “completely de-linked…from religion and…Scheduled Castes [should be made] fully religion-neutral like…Scheduled Tribes”. The report was tabled in both Houses of Parliament on December 18, 2009, but its recommendation was not accepted in view of inadequate field data and corroboration with the actual situation on the ground. A report by a team of sociologists led by Satish Despande, titled Dalits in the Muslim and Christian Communities — A Status Report on Current Social Scientific Knowledge, said in January 2008 that there was a strong case for extending SC status to Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims[6]. However, the study, which was commissioned by the National Commission for Minorities, was also not considered reliable due to insufficient data[7]. Generally, these reports appear to have been biased and prepared on the then available selective data and information and thus come to a conclusive recommendation. Thus, if anybody reads the reports carefully, it could appear that they prepared the reports keeping the conclusion in mind.
BJP, RSS opposed to such religion-based quota: In February 2010, the BJP national executive passed a resolution criticising the Misra Commission. It said that the “Commission cannot dictate or thrust its opinion on the Christian Pope or Muslim maulvis…reservation would amount to a formal introduction of a caste system in Islam and Christianity, thus changing the basic tenets of these religions, which is outside the jurisdiction of both Parliament and the judiciary and also contrary to the provisions of the Koran and the Bible.” Back in 1961, the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS), the highest decision-making body of the RSS, had said: “If any scheme of separate reservation…of different sects is sought to be envisaged for political purposes, it will prove highly detrimental to national unity…” 1990, in response to Christian demands for reservation on the lines of neo-Buddhists, the ABPS said, “the Constitution makers envisaged these concessions only to remove caste-based discrimination and inequality prevalent in Hindu society…”.
2022 The Supreme Court direction and the Commission formed: Based on the recommendations of the Ranganath Misra Commission, there are some petitions pending before the Supreme Court, seeking reservation benefits for Christians and Muslims of Dalit origin. In the last hearing on August 30, a three-judge Bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul gave the Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta three weeks’ time to present the stand of the Union government on the issue. The next hearing is scheduled for October 11, and the government is likely to formally apprise the court of the notification of the Justice Balakrishnan panel. The politicization of quota, reservation and vote back can easily be noted in the “secular India.” Though, secularism is talked about as buzz word, in practice, only, communalism is followed. Similarly, though caste is opposed and discourses made, it is nurtured and converted into constituencies with vote bank for capturing through caste-based parties and electioneering.
[1] Indian Express, Power play behind panel to study SC quota for converts, Published: 10th October 2022 08:23 AM | Last Updated: 10th October 2022 08:23 AM.
[3] Though, the missionaries, European Companies and armies fought with the tribal people of North-east, North-west and other areas of India, they could not succeed in totally eliminating their deep-rooted past culture, tradition, heritage and civilization. Many times, their roots are traced back to the Indian / Hindu origins only.
[4] Indian Express, Govt appoints panel to look into quotas for Dalit Christians and Muslims, here’s why, Written by Shyamlal Yadav, First published on: 07-10-2022 at 04:39:10 pm; Edited by Explained Desk, New Delhi, Updated: October 8, 2022 10:31:51 am.
Reservation to the converted Dalits / SCs and the communalization of Secular polity in India (1)
Politicization caste, race and hierarchical systems among the religions: The Muslims generally have not been for caste-based quota, but, religion-based quota. However, they have been also manipulating data and information with their vested interests. The Mandal Commission Report and Supreme Court judgement exposed the “Mohammedan type of caste system” existing in Islam, in spite of the tall claims made by them about equity, equality and brotherhood. After the Ranganath Mishra report, they have been emboldened enough to claim both the caste-based quota and religion-based quota. They have been enjoying BC status already. Thus, with the SC and ST, they may dominate the political affairs. As for as the Christians are concerned, they have a perennial problem of race related discrimination coupled with their theological counterparts. However, they have been carrying out propaganda that Christianity has been utopian and egalitarian, but, Islam is not and Hindu religion never. In short, the heirarchial system of caste-type discrimination operating among the Christians and Muslims has been more rigid than the Hindu caste-system.
The Supreme Court asked the stand of the government on the issue of extension of SC quota to the converted: The Supreme Court, on 30-08-2022 Tuesday, asked Centre to provide its current stand on the issue of extending the benefit of reservation available to the Schedule led Caste community to Dalits who have converted to other faiths[1]. The petition in which the order has been passed was filed almost 18 years back[2]. A Bench comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, A.S. Oka and Vikram Nath directed, after taking up a bunch of petitions that asked for the delinking of caste reservation from the religion. However, the learned Judges must be knowing the existing precedence of law and the earlier judgements on the issue. The Presidential Order, 1950 has been very specific in this regard and context. The petitioners led by NGO Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL) had filed the plea for an extension of quota benefits to Dalit Christians in 2004 and the case was last heard in February 2015. In between the court was informed that the government had set up the Ranganath Misra commission to examine the issue.
The Central government appoints a Commission accordingly: The Centre has appointed a three-member Commission to examine the sensitive issue of extending Scheduled Caste (SC) status to all those who have historically suffered discrimination and untouchability, regardless of the religion they now profess[3]. It is a task fraught with difficulty for the panel headed by former Chief Justice of India, K. G. Balakrishnan, as it will have to grapple with both social realities and ideological objections while addressing the core question[4]. The notification said certain groups raised the question of revisiting the existing definition of Scheduled Caste according to the status of people who belonged to religions beyond those permitted by presidential orders[5]. It also said that some groups belonging to the category had objected to the inclusion of new groups. “Given the importance, sensitivity and potential impact, any change in definition in this regard should be on the basis of a detailed and definitive study and extensive consultation with stakeholders,” the notification added.
The Notification asks to verify and report the following points: The document gave the panel a fourfold term of reference[6].
The first is to examine the matter of according SC status to people who claim to have historically been Dalit but converted to faiths other than the ones mentioned in presidential orders.
The second is to examine the implications of any such possible move on existing SC groups.
third is to examine the changes SC people go through on converting to other religions in terms of customs, traditions, social, and other status discrimination and deprivation.
The fourth is to examine any related question, with the consent of the central government..
Who are Hindu SC as per the Presidential Order and Article 25?: India constitutionally mandates 15% reservation for SCs in government jobs and educational institutions. Paragraph (3) of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 says, “…no person who professes a religion different from Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism shall be deemed to be a member of a scheduled caste.” But activists argue that Dalit people within the folds of Islam or Christianity experience caste-based discrimination on account of their birth status, and, therefore, they should be eligible for SC status.” So, now, it is to be noted carefully, how the Commission, Court and the petitioners could come over this legality. Caste connotes something connected with the Hindu religion and therefore, the such caste-related quota is applicable only to Hindus. As the Article 25 of the Constitution specifically include “Jain, Buddhist and Sikhs” under the purview of Hindus, they are also eligible for reservation. In other words, such conversion is taking place within Hindus and among the Hindus.
1985-2022 – Vested interests rake up the issue fully knowing the legal status of the issue: The government itself has described it as a seminal and historically complex sociological and constitutional question. This is not the first time that the issue has come up before the Supreme Court — the panel’s appointment comes in the wake of the Court asking the Centre to clarify its position on the issue — or has been examined by a commission headed by a former Chief Justice. In 1985, the Supreme Court agreed that historical discrimination may continue even after members of the SCs convert to other religions, but did not decide in favour of such converts being given SC status as it felt there was not enough material outlining their condition after conversion. It is to be welcomed that the Balakrishnan Commission has been asked specifically to examine the changes that Dalits go through after conversion in terms of their social status and the discrimination they may face, along with the implications of according them SC status.
The National Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities politicized the issue: The National Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities, headed by retired Chief Justice Ranganath Mishra, also examined this issue. In its 2007 report, the panel made a categorical recommendation in favour of giving SC status to Dalits belonging to all religions. It found the caste system to be “an all-pervading social phenomenon in India shared by almost all Indian communities”. It stressed the constitutional need to eliminate the religion-based discrimination underlying the present policy of limiting SC status to those professing Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism. While the tenets of religion may not allow discrimination, the ground reality was different, it said. The main counter-views are well-known: discrimination and deprivation being the consequences of the caste-based Hindu social order, SC status should not be extended to those who have converted to Christianity and Islam; and the benefits involved may be seen as an incentive to mass conversion. Another objection is that the share of the reservation pie available to Dalits among Hindus may shrink if new sections are included. There is no ‘creamy layer’ concept for SC reservation, and expanding its scope may be to the disadvantage of the current beneficiaries. The Commission will have to come up with a definitive study of these complex issues.
What the present Commission can do?: By setting up a panel headed by former Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan and giving it two years to examine the demand to extend Scheduled Caste status to all Dalit converts, the Centre appears to have sought a judicial pause on the highly controversial issue. The law under the lens is paragraph three of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, which keeps converts out of the ambit of reservation. It was amended twice to open windows for converted Sikhs and Buddhists to get in, but the door remained shut for all others, including Dalit Christians and Muslims. With the existing law of this land and established law and also the legal precedence based on the previous judgments on the issue, can the commission go beyond? Can all these be over-ruled or whether this commission has such over-riding legal powers?
[1] LiveLaw, SC Reservation For Converted Dalits : Supreme Court Asks Centre To Explain Its Stand Within 3 Weeks, Sohini Chowdhury 31 Aug 2022 10:32 AM.
Fr.P.George Ponnaiah v. The Inspector of Police – Judge pronounces, “I am certain that on the Judgment Day, God shall admonish the petitioner for having committed an un-Christian act”!
The Judgment delivered on the Christmasday 07-01-2022: Madras High Court on Friday (07-01-2022) refused to take down criminal proceedings under section 153A (promoting enmity), 295A (outraging religious feeling) and 505(2) of Indian Penal Code against catholic priest Geroge Ponniah in the derogatory Kanyakumari speech case[1]. The bench of Justice GR Swaminathan stated[2], “He cannot insult or outrage others’ religion or their religious beliefs and still claim immunity from the application of Section 295A/153A/505(2) of IPC.” He opined that Evangelical Christian Priests having command over a large part of the population, if they speak ill of Hindu religion will attract charges under section 295A of IPC, they cannot take shelter of fundamental right of freedom of speech. The court quashed four out of seven charges against P George Ponnaiah.
Newton law works on the day of judgment or not has to be observed: Court said[3], “An evangelist like the petitioner cannot claim a similar privilege……This is because he views the other religionists as a constituency to be poached. He cannot be called a disinterested or neutral commentator.” Court further added[4], “The targeted religionists are bound to take offence as they fear potential harm to their interests and well-being. In such an ambience, the Newton’s third law, “every action has an equal and opposite reaction”, may start operating.”
Section 295A of IPC cannot be invoked in such cases because the element of malice is wholly absent: Significantly, Court also differentiated Munawar Faruqui or Alexander Babu’s case from Ponniah’s. Court said, “When stand-up comedians Munawar Faruqui or Alexander Babu perform on stage, they are exercising their fundamental right to poke fun at others. Again, their religious identity is irrelevant. It is here, the “Who?” and “Where?” tests matter. Section 295A of IPC cannot be invoked in such cases because the element of malice is wholly absent. The persons concerned voice their opinions or give vent to their expressions in their capacity as satirists.”
A rationalist or an academic or a satirist can escape and so also an evangelist: He emphasized distinguishing an evangelist’s harsh views on religious beliefs, from similar views expressed by a rationalist or a reformist or a satirist, said the shield of fundamental right guaranteed under the Constitution under Article 19(1)(a) would be available only to a rationalist or an academic or a satirist[5]. “We need Charles Darwin, Christopher Hitchens, Richard Dawkins, Narendra Dabholkar, MM Kalburgi and many such others in public life and discourse. Dr Abraham T Kovoor, who wrote the book “Begone Godmen! Encounters with Spiritual Frauds”, cannot be said to have outraged the religious beliefs of Hindus. He was speaking as a rationalist[6]. The fact that he belonged to Christianity is utterly irrelevant. When stand-up comedians Munawar Faruqui or Alexander Babu perform on stage, they are exercising their fundamental right to poke fun at others. Again, their religious identity is irrelevant.
Offences under Section 143, 269 and 506(1) of IPC and Section 3 of Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 were not made out against Ponniah: Therefore, emphasizing the need for State’s vigilance in matters like Ponniah’s, the court stated[7], “The State cannot remain a mute spectator in such situations. To uphold the sanctity of the Constitution and maintain public order, the strong arm of law will have to come down heavily on those who seek to disrupt communal peace and amity. ” Stating thus, Court refused to give immunity to Ponniah from application of said sections[8]. However, court opined that offences under Section 143, 269 and 506(1) of IPC and Section 3 of Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 were not made out against Ponniah. The order mentioned that he also made mocking, derogatory references to Prime Minister Narendra Modi Union Home Minister Amit Shah and a state Minister during a meeting at Arumanai in Kanyakumari district in the state[9].
Backdrop of the matter: On 18th July, 2021, in a meeting organized at Arumanai, a village in western Kanyakumari District Ponniah had allegedly given a speech outraging sentiments of Hindus. He had even painted Bharat Mata & Bhuma Devi as filthy & causes of infection.The speech went viral and provoked considerable public outcry. In the aftermath, a case was registered against Ponniah for the offences under Sections 143, 153A, 295A, 505(2), 506(1) and 269 of IPC and Section 3 of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897. To quash the FIR, the present petition had been filed[10].
Tamil Nadu Bishops Council (TNBC) worried about the hate-speech of George Ponnaiah: Besides the arrest and a number of charges he faced, Ponnaiah also faced the heat of the Vatican over his remarks[11]. A top source in Tamil Nadu Bishops Council (TNBC) told The Indian Express last October 2021 that Ponnaiah’s speech was one of the three major cases of aberrations[12] (from the values of church) that forced the Apostolic Nunciature in India — the Vatican’s envoy to New Delhi — to issue a strongly worded message to the Tamil Nadu clergy, directing to stay away from holding positions in independent trusts and NGOs with a remark that many of them have become “financial and political power bases for the priests involved”.
“I am certain that on the Judgment Day, God shall admonish the petitioner for having committed an un-Christian act”: The last paragraph of the judgment goes in this way, “19. After reading Paul Johnson’s book which he describes as “A Biography from a Believer”, I must say that I fell in love with Lord Jesus Christ. Did he not say “Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God”?. Recently, the world became poorer on account of the sad demise of Rev. Desmond Tutu, the great South African anti-apartheid leader. I only wish that the petitioner reads themoving tribute paid by Shri.Gopalkrishna Gandhi. I am certain that on the Judgment Day, God shall admonish the petitioner for having committed an un-Christian act”.
A special treatment to Christians in India?: Earlier a judgment was issued in the same way asking the offender to read bible and repent. Another judgment allowed nuns not to pay Income Tax. Now, this judge says that “I am certain that on the Judgment Day, God shall admonish the petitioner for having committed an un-Christian act.” So the Christians of this secular State India can get away by violating certain provisions of Acts and Rules and yet get exonerated, pardoned and absolved from the violations, sins and other moral defections. A rationalist or an academic or a satirist can escape and so also an evangelist. Thus, hereinafter, the blaspheming Dravidian atheists cannot be questioned, as they may quote Munawar Faruqui or Alexander Babu or George Ponnaiah!
[1] LawBeat, [Right to Free speech] Cannot insult other’s religion and still claim immunity : Madras HC in Pastor George Ponniah’s case, Salil Tiwari, 06:18 PM, 08 Jan 2022
[2] Case Title: Fr.P.George Ponnaiah v. The Inspector of Police, Arumanai Police Station, Kanyakumari District, Kanyakumari and Ors.
[3] The Hindu, Priest’s remarks on Bharat Mata prima facie promote enmity, says HC, Tilak Chandar, MADURAI, JANUARY 07, 2022 22:07 IST; UPDATED: JANUARY 07, 2022 22:07 IST.
[5] Times of India, Evangelists can’t hurt religious belief and claim immunity too, rules Madras HC, Kaushik Kannan / TNN / Updated: Jan 8, 2022, 06:17 IST.
[7] LIVELAW NEWS NETWORK, Offensive Words Against ‘Bharat Mata’ & ‘Bhuma Devi’ Attract Offence Under Section 295A IPC : Madras High Court Refuses To Quash FIR Against Catholic Priest, 7 Jan 2022 3:38 PM.
[9] Hindustan Times, ‘Deliberate, malicious’: Madras high court raps Christian priest for remarks on Hindus, By Press Trust of India, Madurai, Updated on Jan 09, 2022 12:15 AM IST.
[11] Indian Express, Tamil Nadu: Catholic priest spoke of Bharat Mata in ‘offensive terms’, HC refuses to quash FIR, Written by Arun Janardhanan | Chennai | Updated: January 9, 2022 2:27:32 am
Johnrose Austin Jayalal – IMA President, Doctor, member of IMA, Christian or citizen of India – how he reacted to get into a case and exposed!
Initially, it started as Baba Ramdev vs IMA (Indian Medical Association): Baba Ramdev reportedly commented that the allopathic medicine was not so curative to the Corona conditions and he would rather prescribe Ayurvedic medicine. So the doctors under the banner IMA started attacking him with condemnations, demonstrations, legal notice demanding Rs 1000 croes and even filed many cases from many places in India. At one stage, even the PM asked him to apologize and he did. Yet, the IMA has not been relentless and continued to attack him. Hitherto, none knew of the person of the name and style, “Johnrose Austin Jayalal,” a doctor, president and harbinger of the protests initiated against Baba Ramdev. So, Baba has decided to face the legal battle and requested that all petitions may be tagged to together, so that he could face at the Supreme Court. Under such circumstances only, the background of Dr Johnrose Austin Jayalal started revealing. Yes, he was also acting as a Christian, of course, that is not an issue, but as an evangelist responding to specific querries about saving souls, harvesting during the pandemic conditions etc., as the God has shown the wonderful way for their evangelization activities to carry on.
March 2021 – Johnrose Austin Jaylal reacted as a Christian than a doctor or the President of IMA[1]: The Christian doctor has observed churches supporting members suffering from poverty, church hospitals serving the community at large, and fellow Christian physicians volunteering to serve in some of the places hardest hit by the coronavirus[2]. “I am able to see, even amid persecution, even amid difficulties, even amid the control by the government, even among the restrictions we face in openly proclaiming the message of love, by various means and ways, God Almighty is present,” he told CT (Christianity Today). Jayalal recently spoke with Christianity Today about the pandemic’s silver linings for Indian Christians and what Western Christians can learn; tensions with the government over modern and alternative medicine; and how his faith has affected his leadership of one of his nation’s largest professional councils of health care workers. “…. This was during lockdown, so the churches were closed for six or seven months. Church leadership identified the families that needed support and offered financial and material support and counselling to the church members who were below the poverty line…..”
Why the IMA has been defending Prof Dr Johnrose Austin Jayalal?: Immediately, on 30-03-2021, the IMA came out with a letter, of coursing adding the copy of the letter of Dr Johnrose Austin Jayalal, defending him, “It is unfortunate that some news is being circulated with notorious comments against our respected National President Prof Dr J A Jayalal. I am sharing his response which is self-explanatory and appropriate. Please also note that such false propaganda and wrong interpretations are viewed seriously at IMA HQ and necessary action shall be initiated in due course of time.” Again, three months later, the letter dated 01-06-2021 has been intriguing, as without mentioning anybody’s name, “People creating confusion during an epidemic regarding National Treatment Protocols and National Vaccination Programme are traitors and anti-national. They are anti people and anti humanity. They deserve no mercy.” However, they imitated their tirade only against Baba Ramdev!
March 2021 – Johnrose Austin Jaylal explained his strategy of conducting more services etc: The Christian doctor continued, “…..For instance, instead of one service, now we are having two services…….The congregational churches and independent churches were doing two things: social media and mass media support. Two main groups, Jesus Calls and Jesus Redeems, were systematically conducting services at particular times. In fact, people were able to spend a lot of time on religious activities………….We have seen how much time people will spend in front of the televisions and in front of the computers. But during the pandemic, families have come together, listening to the Word and participating in the prayers. That is a very good thing to happen……..I feel personally it was not a time of real difficulty for the Christians at that moment. We were able to worship and carry on our special assignments and duties. The only thing we were not able to do was meet as a congregation.” A Delhi mega-church pastor predicted in CT last year that the pandemic lockdowns would spur revival because Indian churches were turning unity efforts that started from persecution into service to community that extended beyond their church buildings on Sundays.
Rohit Jha filed a case against him in the Delhi Court – 03-06-2021 passed remarks against Johnrose Austin: When Johnrose Austin Jayalal showed his true colours, Rohit Jha filed a case in the Delhi High Court about his involvement in evangelization and thus strip of his membership to IMA[3]. As he expressed his conversion ideas in the interview, naturally, doubts arose as to how he could serve the patients as Christians and non-Christians[4]. Recently, on 04-06-2021, a trial court had pulled him up and cautioned him to “not use” the organisation as a platform to propagate any religion[5]. Additional District Judge Ajay Goel further asked Dayal to concentrate on the welfare of the medical fraternity[6]. “He shall not use the platform of IMA for propagating any religion and rather shall concentrate for the welfare of medical fraternity and progress in the medical field,” the judge said[7]. According to Jayalal’s appeal, the appellant gave the interview to Christianity Today, which was thereafter published on the website Christianity[8]. Citing the interviews given by the IMA chief, Jha sought the court’s direction to restrain Jayalal from writing, speaking in media, or publishing any content which is defamatory to Hindu religion or Ayurveda[9]. The trial court was hearing a suit filed by Rohit Jha, through advocate Sanjeev Uniyal, against Jayalal for allegedly starting a defamatory campaign against the Hindu religion by promoting Christianity in the grab of proving the superiority of Allopathic medicines over Ayurveda for treating COVID-19.
On 12-06-2021, Monday refused to stay an order of the trial court: The Delhi high court on 12-06-2021, Monday refused to stay an order of the trial court which had asked Indian Medical Association (IMA) president Dr Johnrose Austin Jayalal to refrain from using the organisation’s platform “for propagating any religion”[10]. Justice Asha Menon said that she will not pass any ex-parte order as nobody appeared on behalf of the person on whose complaint the trial court had passed the order on June 4, 2021[11]. It said the high court will have to look into the order passed by the trial court and cannot take a superficial view. Challenging the trial court’s order, advocate Tanmaya Mehta, representing Jayalal, claimed that the IMA chief never gave such an assurance to the trial court since he has not done anything wrong. He contended that there was no television debate between Jayalal and yoga guru Ramdev and that he was not propagating any religion, including Christianity. He further said that the suit before the trial court was based on fake news.
20-06-2021 – Court asked to file affidavit: A Delhi Court has asked Indian Medical Association’s (IMA) president, secretary, and others to file a response to a civil suit which sought direction to them to tender a public apology for allegedly making derogatory remarks against ayurvedic medicines and treatment[12]. Civil Judge Deeksha Rao issued notice to IMA, its president Johnrose Austin Jayalal, secretary Jayesh M Lele, National Medical Commission (NMC) and Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), asking them to file a reply on a suit filed by one Rajender Singh Rajput. The Court has listed the matter for further hearing on July 9, 2021[13]. Now, the vociferous IMA and the Hon’ secretaries and others have not joined the issue, to implead themselves and defending their president, as IMA too, was issued with the Court Notice.
27-07-2021, the appeal filed by Johnrose Austin Jayalal dismissed: The Delhi High Court on 27-07-2021, Tuesday dismissed the appeal filed by Indian Medical Association (IMA) president Dr Johnrose Austin Jayalal[14] challenging a trial court order that criticised his remarks on Ayurveda in an interview as allegedly “propagating Christianity”. Justice Asha Menon dismissed his appeal[15]. In his appeal, the IMA chief stated that “trial court without giving any heed to the maintainability of the suit passed an order and held that the appellant, Dr Johnrose Austin Jayalal is misusing his position of National President of Indian Medical Association for propagating Christianity over other religion“. After noting down the submission made by Advocate Tanmay Mehta, Justice Asha Menon of the Delhi High Court issued a notice in the appeal and sought the response of the complainant, Rohit Jha. Even his (Dr Johnrose Austin Jayalal) casual statement would have a big impact on society, the Delhi High Court told the IMA chief. Recently, a trial court had pulled him up and cautioned him to “not use” the organisation as a platform to propagate any religion. Additional District Judge Ajay Goel further asked Dayal to concentrate on the welfare of the medical fraternity. “He shall not use the platform of IMA for propagating any religion and rather shall concentrate for the welfare of medical fraternity and progress in the medical field,” the judge said.
Would IMA go on appeal in the Supreme Court in this case?: It is not known as to how the IMA deposed before the Delhi High Court or just allowed their president Prof Dr Johnrose Austin Jayalal to handle through his advocate. Anyway, now, as the Delhi High Court dismissed his petition, he should go on appeal or file revision petition in the Court. Even the IMA can come out with their statements defending their faithful president. In any case, it is intriguing to note how such highly learned professors, doctors and medical experts of various fields have decided to defend Prof Dr Johnrose Austin Jayalal, in spite of his controversial speeches and other activities. Even going by the secular yard stick, at lest some of them must or could have pointed out their biased, subjective and predisposed position and condition to do so, by defending the controversial doctor.
[3] Nation World News Desk, IMA doctor demands resignation of JA Jayalal on Christian conversion, praises Ayurveda, U.S, 03/06/2021; Updated: 03/06/2021.
[7] Brand.Bench, IMA Chief Johnrose Austin Jayalal moves Delhi High Court against trial court order deprecating interview to Christianity Today, Aditi, Published on : 14 Jun, 2021 , 3:30 pm.
[8] The President of Indian Medical Association (IMA), Johnrose Austin Jayalal has moved the Delhi High Court against a trial court order deprecating his interview to Christianity Today as being against secularism (Johnrose Austin Jayalal vs Rohit Jha).
[9] (Ajay Goel) Vacation Judge/ADJ-04/Dwarka Courts/SW New Delhi/03.06.2021….. Ld. Principal District & Session Judge, South West District, Dwarka on 09.06.2021
[10] Hindustan Times, HC refuses to stay order restraining IMA chief from using his post to ‘propagate any religion’, By HT Correspondent, PUBLISHED ON JUN 14, 2021 11:41 PM IST.
[14] ANI, Delhi HC dismisses IMA President’s plea against trial court order criticising his Ayurveda remarks as ‘propagating Christianity’, By Amiya Kumar Kushwaha, Updated: Jul 27, 2021 12:14 IST.
Paul Chandramohan, habitual sexual offender – why he has been suspended for third time instead of booking und POSCO Act and not taken any legal action?
Sexual harassment complaint given in March 2021 and no action taken: When the print and electronic media have been running daily commentaries on the PSBB, Siva Sankar Baba etc., they have been silent on the sexual harassment cases of Habeeb Mohammed and Paul Chandramohan. Now, based on Tamil media reports, the English media has started reporting without any new or further details. The OPIndia repeats, “Female students of Bishop Heber College in Tiruchirappalli have filed a complaint of sexual misconduct against Paul Chandramohan, the head of the Tamil department, reports Swarajya. According to the reports, five postgraduate students of Bishop Heber College, Trichy, submitted a five-page complaint with the college’s principal, accusing Head of Department Paul Chandramohan of sexually harassing them in the past[1]. Paul Chandramohan, who holds a PhD in Tamil Christian Literature has served in the college for over 20 years”[2]. The OpIndia relies upon Swarajya and Swarajya on “Puthiya Thalaimurai.”[3] The Swarajya boasts of upholding values and so on, but, coming to this type of reporting, they just copy from others and post as their news[4]. In other words, they themselves have exhibited their own bias of not going into the details or bringing anything new in this case.
Five girl students gave written complaint against Paul Chandramohan: The Bishop Heber College, Trichy is established and managed by the Tiruchirappalli – Thanjavur Diocese of the Church of South India. In a written letter to the college principal, five post-graduate students said Paul Chandramohan sexually harassed them regularly by sitting in close proximity and cracking sexual jokes. “During class hours, he sits extremely close to the girls and uses vulgar language and double meaning sexual innuendos, making the students despise him. He loosens the shirt and pants towards the end, making the students uncomfortable,” the letter reads. The victim students also alleged that Paul Chandramohan engaged in various forms of sexual harassment, such as rubbing his legs against them[5]. He even went on to say that he would ‘teach’ them about the kind of experience that lovers would have in an intimate setting in parks and such, the letter said[6].
Nalini aided and abetted Paul Chandramohan: The students also alleged that Paul Chandramohan would force them to visit his private chamber inside the college premise. Assistant Professor Nalini often forced victims to wash face, wear make-up before meeting Paul Chandramohan. According to the aggrieved students, Nalini, an assistant professor in the Tamil department, often forced them to wash their faces and apply makeup before visiting the head of the department in his chamber. In the letter, the students said that the sexual misconduct has forced them to discontinue from the institution.
The Hindu’s cryptic report: The Hindu gives small report, that too, appeared in the Trichy edition. The report goes like this, “The Internal Complaints Committee had confirmed the veracity of the complaint that a group of girl students had lodged with the Principal in March, 2021 and had submitted its report during April, 2021[7]. As per Section 13 (4) of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act and Rules, 2013, the employer has to act upon the recommendations within 60 days from the time of submission of the recommendations, and the college had acted accordingly, senior advocate and external member of the Committee, Jayanthi Ranee, said[8]. The college had convened an urgent meeting of its Governing Board on Wednesday 30-06-2021, to issue the suspension order, sources said. In compliance with the recommendations of its Internal Complaints Committee, Bishop Heber College on Wednesday suspended its Head of the Department of Tamil C. J. Paul Chandra Mohan, against whom students had complained of sexual harassment”.
Paul Chandramohan suspended, dismissed or arrested?: The Indian Herald repeats all adding one line[9], “The police have also started an investigation into the allegations”. Of course, it carried news in its own way differing from the above[10]. So far, the local Tamil media has not reported about his arrest. The Hindu news has been repeated by others including Yahoo.News. Evidently, these English media have not gone into the details, but restrict their reporting, perhaps, to prove their “secular” leanings acting, in fact, communally siding with such “minorities.” As officially, no police complaint has been given, no action has been taken by them. Coming to his “career” status, the media confuses it been “suspension” and “dismissal”! Though, he has been habitual offender involving in such sexual harassment and excesses, he has already been suspended twice earlier and this is third time.
The welfare and protection of children in homes and special schools: Most of the faculty of the college has attended many seminars and conferences on the “sexual harassment of women” etc. E. Adaikalasamy has submitted thesis on, “A study on the socialexclusion of women with disabilities in Tiruchirappali District, Tamilnadu, India” with the Bharadhidasan University, Trichy[11]. A special meeting called by the council of Church of South India, Trichy-Tanjore Diocese, witnessed discussion on welfare schemes, community development and spirituality of the congregation, from October 6 to 8, 2019. Rt. Rev. D.Chandrasekaran, Bishop and Chairman of Bishop Heber College, who chaired the meeting, interacted with 250 participants comprising Priests and Laities representing the geographical stretch from the Anamalai Hills to Nagapattinam (central Tamil Nadu). Schemes were evaluated on the welfare and protection of children in homes and special schools[12]. The meeting resolved to ensure safety of children studying in schools and colleges and extend fee concession to the poor. Very poor students would be given full sponsorship by well-wishers of the diocese. Projects for providing residential facilities to senior citizens were appraised and policies for their admission into homes were amended. A new home for the aged was proposed at Dharapuram. It was decided that the facility would be established within a short span of time.
Atrocities against women and children, and sexual harassment at the work place were discussed to give stringent punishment[13]: Alcoholism, atrocities against women and children, and sexual harassment at the work place were discussed to give stringent punishment. Discussion on hospital care and educational institutions was carried out and plan of action was evolved. The existence of Trichy Diocese for the past 100 years had resulted into producing thousands of good citizens, participants said emphasising establishment of as many homes as possible to elevate poor children including orphans, physically challenged and special children. Speakers said that the Trichy CSI Mission Hospital has been renovated with advanced ICU facility and cardiology department. Officials of the council mooted more measures for uplift of the poor.
From 1997 to 2021, Paul Chandramohan was suspended for three / four times:
In 1997, he was suspended as he sexually harassed the girls of the hostel situated within the campus of the Bishop Heber college. As his wife with two children came to the Bishop and pleaded that they were suffering, because, of her husband’s suspension (citing economic reasons) and the then, principal Samiraj condoned him and restored his job.
Ironically, he did not stop his sexual pranks, sensual jinks and sensuous frivolities, by resorting to write poetry describing his college Nalini running into many pages. This became a big issue and he was suspended for six months. That is, he joined duty happily, after “six months”!
In 2015, when he was about to be promoted, a video surfaced, in which he was found with a woman in a room in a very close, intimate and compromising conditions. Thus, he was denied promotion, when the affair reached the management. Here, it was not clearly known, whether he was suspended or not.
Thus, 2021, again, he has been suspended.
Thus, within five years, as he has been suspended three / four times for sexual harassment activities, it is evident that he has been a habitual offender and the CSI Church and college management have taken lenient view for his violation of Acts and Rules.
March to May 2021 very slow action taken: The management of the college has been delaying and taking no or slow action since March 2021. When the details have been leaked and the “Kumudam Reporter” published the whole affair with details, and moreover, its reporter contacted the Bishop, it is evident that the acts has been taken as no other option is available to suppress or delay.
March 2021 – Five girl students gave written complaint against the sexually harassing Paul Chandramohan.
May 2021 – The Enquiry Committee gave a finding report.
29-06-2021 – The CSI Bishop Chandrasekhar met the Chief Minister.
30-06-2021 – Paul Chandramohan has been suspended.
Yet, it is evident that the print and electronic media has been selective and not reporting like the PSBB or Siva Sankar Baba issue. As the case of Habeeb Mohammed has been forgotten with two days, this would be forgotten within three days. However, the Siva Sankar Baba report continues daily in the local Tamil papers!
[3] Swarajya, Tamil Nadu: After Loyola, Bishop Heber College Rocked By Allegations Of Sexual Misconduct Against Head Of Tamil Department, By Swarajya Staff-Jul 1, 2021 10:05 AM.
[5] Yahoo.news, Tamil Nadu: After Loyola, Bishop Heber College Rocked By Allegations Of Sexual Misconduct Against Head Of Tamil Department, By Swarajya Staff-Jul 1, 2021 10:05 AM.
[11] E. Adaikkalasamy, A study on the socialexclusion of women with disabilities in Tiruchirappali District, Tamilnadu, India , a thesis submitted to the Bharadhidasan University.
How evangelization could break a Hindu family, Aggressive preaching techniques lead to sexploitation and result in violation of Acts and Rules ? (3)
23-04-2021 the four accused arrested at the Tindivanam resort (Friday): The Chennai police have arrested the priest of a church and three other relatives of a minor girl who was allegedly sexually abused by them on 23-04-2021, Friday[1]. The arrests came almost 10 days after her mother, a playback singer, lodged a complaint[2] (made on 12-04-2021). The complaint alleged that the girl was sexually harassed by the pastor when they took her to him under the pretext of exorcism[3].The accused were picked up from a farmhouse in Tindivanam on Friday and remanded in judicial custody[4]. A special team of police personnel led by the police inspector Amutha apprehended the four who were hiding in a farmhouse[5]. Though the suspects allegedly informed that they have been falsely accused, police remanded them in judicial custody as the victim reportedly stood her ground[6]. Police, not elaborating (Refusing to elaborate on the kind of abuse the victim was subjected to….[7],) on the kind of abuse the victim was subjected to, said that the priest touched her inappropriately when she visited the church and her uncle too did the same while bathing her when she was below 10 (some years ago[8]).
Why Shekinah group evangelists have bee following exorcism?: As pointed out, suddenly, “the Hindu,” reported that, “The complaint alleged that the girl was sexually harassed by the pastor when they took her to him under the pretext of exorcism.” In Andhra, she has been carrying on evangelism and “Halleluah Aradhana” musical events with huge publicity. Thus, it is evident that her ministries, Alive Church and others have been protestant denomination having contacts with foreign countries. She continued to participate and attend, many international Christian conventions and posing photos with the foreign representations and delegates. Therefore, why and how her group could have involved in exorcism, has to be noted carefully. Just few days back, another pastor Scott David has been arrested for the same sexual exploitation and exorcism. Therefore, under the guise of “counseling,” “healing,” and other methods, they try to deal with women who have personal, family and domestic issues and problems. As the Catholics have they system of “confession,” the protestants might try to adopt and adapt psychological methods to solve such problems. However, when the involved pastors exceed limits, that result is sexploitation, pedophile sex and molestation activities.
The stands of Grandmother, mother and grand-daughter: Here, so far themother has been the complaintant against her sister, brother-in-law and his brother and a pastor. But, now, grand-mother comes into picture reportedly informing the media, that her one daughter tried to implicate another and so on, surprises, because, earlier, she did not come to picture to defend or oppose any daughter. Moreover, the grand-daughter issue has to be dealt with judiciously, as the case aready been booked under the POCSO Act. Therefore, the women involved cannot digress or divert the issue. When, the grandfather died, the accused daughter was seen with bible near the dead body opening and closing it. Incidentally, the accused pastor was also seen near by accompanying doing the same. Therefore, a doudt arises as to, whether they tried to give any Chritian last rites like ritual. Thus, the grandmother coming to rescue the Christian daughter against Hindu daughter natiurally raises such questions.
The Hindu, Hindu Prasanna and Christian Shekhinah Shawn Jazeel: A Google search gives “The Hindu” coverage of many concerts of Shekhinah Shawn performed and in fact, it sponsored the “Opera Night” onducted at the Museum theatre on Sunday, the 22nd April 2012 by Augustine Paul. Her stories appeared in “The Hindu,” as claimed be her in her facebook and cutting appended in her photo album. However, it has not given such accommodation to “Hindu Prasanna.” Thus, Shekhinah Shawl Jazeel carries more weight with “The Hindu,” as it s well-known for the editorial policy being against Hindu interests, as many nanogeneraians and others above 60 have been noting for the last 40 years.
Why the media wants to suppress the identity of the accused: As pointed out, if the news appeared in the leading English and Tamil dailies, the identity of the accused has been suppressed compleletely. How the print ad electronic media reacted and still have been reacting with the cases of Premananda, Nityananda, Devanathan etc., is too wellknwn to be repeated here. Even in cinema, jokes, comedy scenes and funy episodes are played under the guise of “humour” and so on, but, the Christians have been continuoysly involved in the pedophile sexual criminal cases internationally and nationally involving Indian victims or the Indian pastors, but, they are not given much publicity. Though such cases have been reported and booked, they are made to go un-noticed. Now, also, as Christians are involved, the details are suppressed.
The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 has been brought in 2012: To deal with child sexual abuse cases, the Government has brought in a special law, namely, The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
The Act has come into force with effect from 14th November, 2012 along with the Rules framed thereunder.
The said Act defines a child as any person below eighteen years of age, and defines different forms of sexual abuse, including penetrative and non-penetrative assault, as well as sexual harassment and pornography, and deems a sexual assault to be “aggravated” under certain circumstances, such as when the abused child is mentally ill or when the abuse is committed by a person in a position of trust or authority vis-à-vis the child, like a family member, police officer, teacher, or doctor.
People who traffick children for sexual purposes are also punishable under the provisions. the gravity of the offence, with a maximum term of rigorous imprisonment for life, and fine.
The police are also required to bring the matter to the attention of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) within 24 hours of receiving the report, so the CWC may then proceed where required to make further arrangements for the safety and security of the child.
Here, in this case, these procedure are followed or not, is not known.
The identity of the victim and the accused: According to the Section 23 (2) of the POCSO Act, – No reports in any media shall disclose, the identity of the child including his name, address, photograph, family details, school, neighbourhood or any other particulars which may lead to disclosure of identity of the child.
Provided that for reasons to be recorded in writing, the Special Court, competent to try the case under the Act, may permit such disclosure, if in its opinion such disclosure is in the interest of the child. However, it is not known, how the names of the accused are mentioned sometimes, relationships noted other times and even the version of the grandmother is reported, but, the details are presented in the news in a fuzzy, vague and nebulous manner.
The captions of the news printed, the contents and other details have been vague, ambiguous and indistinct, though, in between, certain details are reported just in one line (e.g, the practice of exorcism).
In Secular India, wht the elite, egalitarian and superior Christians claim their past caste identity and engage in evagelization?: In India, as a “secular” nation, every citizen has a right to follow and profess any religion and therefore, being Mohammedan, Christian, Jew, Jain, Buddhist, Hindu etc., has not been any issue. Every believer can expound abut his religious belief-system, but, such attempts could not cross and violate the religious belief-system of others. The question of freedom of expression, thought, writing also is covered under this condition. Thus, the concerted Christians need not claim that they are Brahmon Christians, Nadar Christians, Vellalar Christians, Dalit Christians and so on. As they claim, once anybody converts and becomes Christian, “in Christ all become one,” none can claim or boat of his past caste tag. Mentioning caste and believing Christ make such claimants duplicities, cheats and swindlers. Thus, the “Halleluah-Shekinah” need not harp upon that she, “was born in a Brahmin Hindu family”!
[1] Indian Express, Chennai priest among four held under Pocso Act for sexual abuse of playback singer’s daughter. Published: 24th April 2021 07:34 PM | Last Updated: 24th April 2021 07:34 PM
How evangelization could break a Hindu family, Aggressive preaching techniques lead to sexploitation and result in violation of Acts and Rules ? (2)
Paul Wilson, Head of the Department of Chemistry and his wife Jasmine Wilson, batting for Christian Carnatic Music: One of the most obvious yet unspoken contributions of Christianity to Carnatic music is the violin. This stringed instrument, which is an integral part of any Carnatic concert today entered the fray through Christian proponents. Vedanayagam Sastriar, a Christian, who is known to have composed hundreds of Carnatic keerthanas, learnt to play the instrument as a 12-year-old from German missionary Friedrich Schwarz in 1786. He went to pass on the art to Vadivelu Pillai, who became the ‘Asthana Vidwan’ in the court of renowned Carnatic composer Raja Svati Tirunal of Travancore. Baluswamy Dikshitar, brother of Muthuswamy Dikshitar, one of the Carnatic trinity, is known to have been the first person to infuse the violin into Carnatic compositions using the ‘Sa Pa Sa Pa’ string tuning which is still followed today. But like Vedanayagam Sastriar, Baluswamy Dikshitar also learnt the violin from European Christians. “He is said to have learnt to play the violin from a band in Fort St. George,” said Paul, explaining the role that Baluswamy’s patron, Manali Muthukrishna Mudaliar, played in arranging the interaction with the East India Company. It is a funny argument that just because the violin is used by the Carnatic players that Christinity contributed o the Carnatic music. nowadays, “keyboards’ are also used replacing many instruments and real instrumentalists, who used to play physically exhibiting their talents. However, it is not known that anybody could claim that the “keyboard” also contributed to Carnatic music and so on.
The Ragavendra family of singers[1]: Kalpana Raghavendar (born 8 May 1980) is an Indian playback singer, winner of Idea Star Singer Malayalam and participant in Bigg Boss Telugu Season 1, songwriter and actor. She started her career as a playback singer at the age of five, and as of 2013 had recorded 1,500 tracks and performed in 3,000 shows in India and abroad. Her father, T. S. Raghavendra (19 September 1945 – 30 January 2020) was an Indian actor, playback singer and occasional music director who concentrated on Tamil-language films. As an actor, he was known as the father character of actress Revathi in Vaidehi Kathirunthal. He also gave music for a few films like Uyir (old Tamil film), Padikkatha Paadam and Yaaga Saalai. His wife Sulochana is also a singer. His daughter Shekinah Shawn (born Prasanna Raghavendar) who is popular as an Opera singer and daughter Kalpana is also playback singer. These details are repeated in Wikipedia and other internet sources. As they have been probably Telugu speaking or Telugu knowing, all were singing in Telugu also. Particularly, these two daughters have been performing in Telugu mostly. While Shekhinah has been conducting Christian crusade programmes, Kalpana does all sorts, including TV shows and all. Of course, she has sung on and for Christians also and there has been rumours and gossips[2] about her “conversion to Christianity.”
Name changed as Thirumathi Prasanna was converted to Christianity with the name of Shekhiah Shwan Jazeel on 24-07-2005: The Tamilnadu Gazettee recorded that[3], “Thirumathi Prasanna, R., (Hindu), wife of Thiru Shawn Jazeel, born on 22nd January 1982 (native district: Chennai), residing at Old No. 21, New No. 39, Ponnambalam Salai, West K.K. Nagar, Chennai-600 078, has converted to Christianity with the name of SHEKHINAH SHAWN JAZEEL on 24th July 2005. PRASANNA, R. Chennai, 24th October 2008”. It is a government document and available in public domain. Therefore, it is evident that born from an orthodox Hindu family, that too, Brahmin got converted to Christianity. Even today, she claims, “Shekhinah Shawn was born in a Brahmin Hindu family,” to declare that she could possess such Carnatic musical background only because, she learned that tradition from the acclaimed gurus.
Kalpana Ragavendra’s achievements: In 2010 she was the winner of the south Indian singing show Star Singer season 5, conducted by the Malayalam TV channel Asianet. she was a judge of Super Singer Junior 6. Kalpana was born in a musical family. Her father, T. S. Raghavendra, was a reputed playback singer, actor and composer, while her mother, Sulochana, is also a singer. She has a younger sister, Shekinah Shawn (born Prasanna Raghavendar) who is popular as an Opera singer. Kalpana took her Carnatic music lessons under Madurai T. Srinivasan. Apart from her proficiency in singing, she holds a Master of Computer Applications degree and is pursuing Master of Philosophy. Kalpana began her musical career at the age of 5. Her first vocals were for a family song alongside P. Susheela, Mano, M. M. Srilekha and her younger sister Prasanna, composed by the music director Saluri Vasurao.
Kalpana Ragavendra – Associated with the Carnatic musicians: As an adult, she started her career as a full-fledged playback singer in 1999 by rendering her voice for the song Mangalagouriki from the Telugu film Manoharam under music director Mani Sharma. She has also worked with many legendary composers and singers like M. S. Viswanathan, Ilaiyaraaja, A. R. Rahman, K. V. Mahadevan, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and K. S. Chithra. She is more familiar to the public as a stage performer rather than a playback singer, having performed nearly 3000 stage shows worldwide. In 2013, Kalpana was the lead performer in a tribute concert for her guru, Madurai T. Srinivasan. It has to be noted that the media tries / wants to conceal the identity of the accused, and even the names, though, some publish, some others do not . Here, also the caption says, “priest,” thus readers could imagine any religion, particularly, Hindu.
How a “born as a Brahmn Hindu” became “a Christian”[4]: Shekhinah Shawn though converted to Christianity, she continued to claim that she, “was born in a Brahmin Hindu family”! Her evangelist website, social media and and Christian gatherings has been publicizing about her as follows: “Shekhinah Shawn was born in a Brahmin Hindu family. An acclaimed vocalist and perhaps the best Opera singer in India, Ms Shawn achieved excellence in Western and Classical Music at an early age. She has received numerous accolades and awards and is the only Indian to receive a Fellow of Trinity School of London (FTCL) – the highest examination offered in Western Classical for vocal. She has performed at various Mega Music Concerts and has been playback singer in some Tamil movies. Gifted with a mellifluous voice cadence, Ms Shawn has successfully performed in languages like Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, English and Spanish. She has been published in the National Daily ‘The Hindu’ a number of times”.
Encounter with Jesus Christ: The Shekhiashawn website continues, “After she met her Husband, Ms Shawn came to know about the Gospel and teachings of the Bible. God spoke to her as she was reading the Book, “Blessing or Curse” by Dr. Derek Prince. Initially, she didn’t accept the idea of the exclusivity of Jesus Christ but as she read the Bible the Holy Spirit convicted her heart and she received Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Soon she received miraculous healing from chronic sickness and saw God’s power made manifest in her life. She dedicated her life to the service of the Lord and found it a joy to be counted His disciple and child. She studied the teachings of Christ meticulously and was profoundly impacted by God’s abundant grace and His supernatural power to heal. Through her teachings on the Grace of God and Healing, several people have received miracles of Healing & Deliverance”.
How Brahmin Prasanna Hindu became Shekhinah Shawan evangelist founding Shekhinah Shawn Ministries[5]: The Shekhiashawn website continues, “After graduating from Charis Bible College[6], Chennai (Andrew Wommack Ministries[7]), she received her call to share the message of God’s abundant grace and His power to heal the sick. She has a vision to take Christian Music in India to the next level and produce quality Christian Music. Following this vision, Shekhinah Shawn Ministries is planning to start Shekhinah Shawn School of Music (SSSM) where Christian students can be trained in professional Music and taught the importance of Praise & Worship in the Body of Christ. Shekhinah Shawn is the Founder & President of Shekhinah Shawn Ministries and presently lives with her Husband Shawn who is a renowned Music Director in Chennai, India”. For preaching, it is not known, one should get any qualification from ths type of bible colleges Perhaps, they teach how to preach and convert.
[1] The Wikipedia and the media give all these details and a google search provides these details. However, when, the issue comes, there is still silence.
[2] The Telugu media has been full of sch stuff with videos and others.
[3] Tamil Nadu Gazettee, Oct. 29, 2008, page.no.1541.
EVR’s atheism, Deivanayagam’s petition, Veramani’s counter and the Judgment!
2017 petition heard and decided in 2019: That the petition W.P. No.28021/2017 was heard two years later and the judges to deliver judgment on 04-09-2019 has been intriguing. None reacted to the judgment or protested to remove any paragraphs from the judgment arguing that they offend their belief or so. Perhaps, most of them are not interested at all. The duo Rajiv Malhothra and Aravinda Neelakantan[1] made much fuss about their favorite duo Deivanayagam and Devakala[2] also keeping quite! Though from 2014 onward, many Hindutwa advocates, lawyers and legal experts have been out, it appears that they do not bother such cases. Of course, they might write in their own websites and journals, read by hundred or two hundred, applause and enjoy time otherwise.
Thanthai Periyar, had advocated both atheism and self respect[3]: Emphasizing the right to propagate views questioning existence of God, the Madras High Court recently dismissed a Public Interest Litigation which sought to remove atheistic inscriptions below the statues of Thanthai Periyar in Tamil Nadu[4]. The bench comprising Justice S. Manikumar and Justice Subramonium Prasad observed that followers of Thanthai Periyar, in exercise of the rights under Article 19 of the Constitution of India, has a right to disagree with the existence of God.
There is no God, no God, no god,
Those who preached God is fool
Those who spread God Rogue
Those who pray God are Barbarians
These inscriptions below the statue of Thanthai Periyar erected all over the State of Tamil Nadu, offended Dr.M.Deivanayagam[5] who filed a PIL seeking to remove them on the ground that it is an offensive language, and against the ‘Universal God’. According to Dr. Deivanayagam, Periyar had always advocated self-respect and not atheism. He further contended that Periyar had not uttered such words offending people[6]. He contended that during his lifetime, Periyar had never uttered these words, inscribed below the statues, and it was the Dravidar Kazhagam, led by its president K. Veeramani, that had inscribed these lines[7]. A division bench of Justice S. Manikumar and Justice Subramonium Prasad said it was of the view that it was an undisputed fact that Periyar, in all his speeches and publications, from 1928, had declared that[8] “there is no God, God doesn’t exist, one who has created God is a fool”. “The propogation of the philosophy of self respect, social reform, ending caste system, equal rights and Periyar’s vision to establish a society of brotherhood can be deciphered, and according to him, the belief in God was the sole reason for the inequalities in society[9]. Speeches and expression, extracted supra, from 1928, makes it clear without an iota of hesitation that it was Periyar’s philosophy and ideology that became a self respect movement and later on, a party,” the bench said.
Periyar had declared that there is no god, God doesn’t exist, One who has created is a fool: Justice Manikumar, in his judgment, made many references to writing and speeches of Periyar and concluded that he had, in all his speeches, publications, from 1928, had declared that there is no god, God doesn’t exist, One who has created is a fool[10]. The court also observed that, people recognize Periyar as a non believer of God and the one who fought for social justice and self respect. The court said[11]: “Propagation of philosophy of self respect, social reform, ending caste system, equal rights, and Thanthai Periyar’s vision to establish a society of brotherhood could be deciphered, and according to Thanthai Periyar, belief of God, was the sole reason for the inequalities in the society. Speeches and expression, extracted supra, from 1928 and enclosed in the typed set of papers makes it clear, without any iota of hesitation, one can clearly come to the conclusion that it is Thanthai Periyar’s philosophy and ideology, which became a self respect movement and later on, a party”.
Followers of Periyar Has Right To Propagate His Atheistic Views: The court further observed Dravidar Kazhagam Party, has every right under the Constitution of India, to fight for social justice in eradicating inequality, right for upliftment of women and downridden people, express views on religion and existence of God[12]. It further observed that divergent views on philosophy should be allowed to be expressed, and that there cannot be a prevention of freedom of expression, with permanent interest of human progress[13]. It said: “The petitioner has a constitutional right under Article 19 of the Constitution of India, to express his views on religion and existence of God, in the light of the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Lalai Singh Yadav’s case, we are of the view that the 2nd respondent and the members of the party, or followers of Thanthai Periyar, in exercise of the rights under Article 19 of the Constitution of India, has a right to disagree with the same.”
Who is Deivanayagam, the Petitioner of the case?: M. Deivanayagam has been a Christian, completed M. A. Tamil fom Madras Christian College, working as a lecturer in Loyola College, done a Ph.D from the chair created by the former Archbishop R. Arulappa, that was reportedly affiliated to the University of Madras. With the publication of his controversial book, “Viviliyam Tirukkural Saiva Siddhantam,” he go some publicity. However, Rajiv Malhothra of Infinity Foundation had given undue publicity through his book, “Breaking India.” Though he never saw and met Deivanayagam he engaged certain people to get information about Deivanayagam. That is why, the information the Rajiv Malhothra group got has been confused and given full credit to Deivanayagam and her daughter Devakala. Aravinda Neelakantan, evidently collaborated for such “Deivanayagam research” making him famous, popular rather than notorious hitherto. Some persons of Hindutva groups have worked as conduits for the information exchange between Deivanayagam and Hindutwa groups. Thus, in 2017, Deivanayagam got this fantastic idea of “Universal God” and filed a writ petition.
What Deivanayagam claimed in his petition: Based on the petition filed, the following points are listed:
The Parliament of World Religions was held between 15th and 19th of October 2015 at Salt lake city, USA. On behalf of our trust [“Trust for the Unification of World Religions through Soulology of the Tamils”], we rented two booths to establish the existence of the Universal God on the basis of the Soulology of the Tamils and all the questions raised by the religious scholars had been answered rationally.
On the basis of the invitation of the Vice Chancellor of Madras University. We have established the existence of Universal God in a rational way on 2nd January 2016.
The President of Dravidar Kazhagam have advertised that, those who prove the existence of God will get a reward of 1 crore rupees and those who prove Pilliyar eats Kozhukattai will get a reward of 2 crore rupees and specifically they have to prove in the premises of Periyar Thidal. Accepting his challenge, we wrote letters to K.Veeramani. We wrote articles explaining a reply to his challenge and published in our magazines. After reading this, due to the fear of losing his challenge, he has hidden himself in his own premises at the specified time. The complete details are published in our Tamizhar Samayam magazine. We are always ready to prove the above challenge at any time.”
What K. Veeramani frecorded about M. Deivanayagam in his counter: What K. Veeramani recorded abot M. Deivanayagam:
It is the further contention of the 2nd respondent [Deivanayagam] that the petitioner used to spend time, in the premises of 2nd respondent’s party [K. Veeramani] under the guise of an atheist and non believer of God.
It is their further contention that after some time, the petitioner has started preaching that in the world, that there are two religions, one is Saivait and the other is Vaishnavait and Gods are Shiva and Vishnu respectively.
The second respondent has further stated that the petitioner is having an organization called “அனைத்து தன்மான தமிழர்களது கூட்டமைப்பு”. Using this organization, on one side, he preached about Periyar and on other side, tried to achieve his individual views, by using 2nd respondent’s party.
As he refused to attend his meeting, he filed this petition as a revenge.
The judgment and its beneficiaries and of course the affected: It is not known as to where the Hindutwa lawyers, advocates and others have gone. Thus, it is very clear that both played dubious play and mischief, just to get publicity through the petition, because, hther it is head or tail, they are the winners and the opponents or the gullible attacked [who always do not know that they are attacked] and the Judges cleverly delivered the judgment giving much publicity to EVR with the English translation that occupies 60% of their judgments. Definitely, the DK, K. Veeramany and Deivanayagam have been the most benefited with the dismissed petition and the judgment.
[1] Authors of the book “Breaking India,” holding that these two were responsible for all the Christa activities carried on in India.
[2] More than half the book deals with a father-and-daughter duo, Devianayagam and Devakala; have you heard of them? They are Tamil evangelists, and while I hold no brief for either of them, I find it hard to believe, as Malhotra does, that they are Enemies Number One and Two in India.
Outlook, A study on Bible-thumping activism ignores titular faultlines, concocts plots couched in anti-imperialism, GITA RAMASWAMY, 23 MAY 2011
[3] Livelaw, Right To Atheism: Madras HC Reject PIL To Remove Atheistic Inscriptions Under Periyar Statues [Read Judgment], BY: ASHOK KINI6 Sep 2019 6:31 PM
[5] He has been a Christian posing as a Sanyasi donnig ochre robes and writing against Hindu religion, scriptures and Gods. The Catholic chrch supports him, though, they pretend to oppose each other.
[6] The Hindu, Madras High Court dismisses plea to remove inscriptions on Periyar statues, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT, CHENNAI, SEPTEMBER 06, 2019 00:45 IST; UPDATED: SEPTEMBER 06, 2019 11:11 IST.
[12] Business Standard, HC throws out plea seeking removal of “no God” slogans from Periyar’s statues, Press Trust of India | Chennai , Last Updated at September 5, 2019 21:55 IST.
The judgment and its beneficiaries and of course the affected: It is not known as to where the Hindutwa lawyers, advocates and others have gone. Thus, it is very clear that both played dubious play and mischief, just to get publicity through the petition, because, hther it is head or tail, they are the winners and the opponents or the gullible attacked [who always do not know that they are attacked] and the Judges cleverly delivered the judgment giving much publicity to EVR with the English translation that occupies 60% of their judgments. Definitely, the DK, K. Veeramany and Deivanayagam have been the most benefited with the dismissed petition and the judgment.
Issues concerning Indian society 