DMK has strength, ideology, and resolve to oppose authoritarian forces, says Stalin

DMK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Tuesday (December 23, 2025) alleged that the minority communities in the country were living in a sense of fear, and his party was the source of the strength, ideology, and resolve to oppose authoritarian forces that instilled fear in citizens.

Speaking at a Christmas event organised by the DMK in Perambur, he said that during the Special Intensive Revision of the electoral rolls, the DMK had worked resolutely on the ground to safeguard the voting rights of the people. It was doing so even now. In a democracy, when people who believed in equality, love, and fraternity came together, no fascist force could succeed. The DMK and its allies would always stand by the people, he said.

Listing the DMK government’s initiatives for the welfare of the minority communities, Mr. Stalin said the government had started new hostels in Chennai and Coimbatore for the benefit of 130 minority college students, provided additional facilities at 14 hostels for minority students, and introduced training programmes to enhance their talents and English-speaking skills.

He said the increase in the annual income ceiling for the parents of minority students staying in hostels had benefited 884 school students and 3,824 college students. A total of ₹6.57 crore was given to 1.03 lakh students to prevent school dropouts among rural girl students. Permanent recognition certificates were issued to 456 minority-run educational institutions. Sewing machines were distributed to 6,000 underprivileged minority women to promote their economic advancement. The subsidy for Christian pilgrims and nuns from Tamil Nadu travelling to Jerusalem was increased to ₹37,000 and ₹60,000 respectively, he said.

The Chief Minister said 44 churches were renovated at a cost of ₹2.87 crore. The Wesley Church was renovated at a cost of ₹1.19 crore, and St. Thomas Mount Church was being renovated at a cost of ₹1.49 crore.

Mr. Stalin also announced that under the Tamil Nadu Combined Development and Building Rules, 2019, project permission would be granted for religious buildings without no-objection certificates from the Collector. He said this would also apply to applications submitted between 2019 and 2024.

As part of the Christmas celebrations, Mr. Stalin distributed welfare assistance to 3,250 families.