Coimbatore South MLA Vanathi Srinivasan calls for Chief Minister Stalin to clarify remarks made by Father George Ponnaiah about religious conversion and the appointment of Appavu as Speaker.
Coimbatore: Coimbatore South MLA Vanathi Srinivasan has demanded that Chief Minister M.K. Stalin provide an explanation regarding the controversial statements made by Father George Ponnaiah, a priest from Kanyakumari district.
In a statement released on Sunday, Vanathi Srinivasan highlighted Father Ponnaiah's recent remarks at an event where he spoke about religious conversions. The priest allegedly said, "Religious conversion is also a business. Just as people choose the best mango in the market, people choose religions. Come to our religion, you can study well, become a graduate, become a Speaker. Appavu became the Speaker only because he is a Christian. Otherwise, he would have been ringing bells in a temple."
Vanathi Srinivasan criticized these comments, stating that they were filled with hatred towards Hinduism. She accused Father Ponnaiah of focusing more on religious conversion than believing in Jesus Christ. The MLA also pointed out that this was not the first time the priest had made controversial statements against Hinduism.
The BJP leader recalled a previous incident in July 2021 when Father Ponnaiah made contentious remarks about the DMK government and issued threats to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. He was arrested for those statements but later released, which Vanathi Srinivasan attributed to the DMK government's lenient approach.
Vanathi Srinivasan questioned whether positions like Speaker and Ministers in the DMK government are given based on religion. She called on Chief Minister Stalin to clarify these points and explain if Appavu was indeed made Speaker solely because he is a Christian.
The MLA also demanded strict action against Father George Ponnaiah by the state government and police. She suggested that he should be arrested under the National Security Act, given his history of similar offenses. Vanathi Srinivasan urged the government to show at least a fraction of the swiftness they displayed in taking action against a speaker who discussed Periyar at a government school event in Ashok Nagar.
In a statement released on Sunday, Vanathi Srinivasan highlighted Father Ponnaiah's recent remarks at an event where he spoke about religious conversions. The priest allegedly said, "Religious conversion is also a business. Just as people choose the best mango in the market, people choose religions. Come to our religion, you can study well, become a graduate, become a Speaker. Appavu became the Speaker only because he is a Christian. Otherwise, he would have been ringing bells in a temple."
Vanathi Srinivasan criticized these comments, stating that they were filled with hatred towards Hinduism. She accused Father Ponnaiah of focusing more on religious conversion than believing in Jesus Christ. The MLA also pointed out that this was not the first time the priest had made controversial statements against Hinduism.
The BJP leader recalled a previous incident in July 2021 when Father Ponnaiah made contentious remarks about the DMK government and issued threats to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. He was arrested for those statements but later released, which Vanathi Srinivasan attributed to the DMK government's lenient approach.
Vanathi Srinivasan questioned whether positions like Speaker and Ministers in the DMK government are given based on religion. She called on Chief Minister Stalin to clarify these points and explain if Appavu was indeed made Speaker solely because he is a Christian.
The MLA also demanded strict action against Father George Ponnaiah by the state government and police. She suggested that he should be arrested under the National Security Act, given his history of similar offenses. Vanathi Srinivasan urged the government to show at least a fraction of the swiftness they displayed in taking action against a speaker who discussed Periyar at a government school event in Ashok Nagar.