Kilpauk-Chennai, December 18, 2025: Deepagam - the Don Bosco Catechetical Center of INM, and the Indian Christian Renewal Movement organized Interfaith Fellowship Fest on Christmas Eve, December 18, 2025, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at Deepagam, The Citadel, Kilpauk, Chennai, to come together as a family in fellowship of faith by observing the Jubilee Year 2025 through the Christmas celebration. Notable dignitaries were Mr. Peter Alphonse (Ex MP), Rev. Fr. Benedict (Regional Secretary, TNBC), Dr. Hajagani (HoD: Quaide Milleth College), V.M.S. Aandavar (Principal: Kandaswami College), Mr. Francis Bastine (Secretary, TN Catholic Association), and F.A. Naathan (New Life People Party).

The evening get-together began with the welcome message: ‘Christmas celebration is not just expression of love; it ushers in the life of equality and fraternity by rescinding the master-slave ethos.’ This gathering is a family wherein people of diverse religious faiths and adherences have come not only to preach but to witness love and live peacefully with people of other religions. Fr. Jesudoss P. (Director, Deepagam), in his inaugural address, sang two devotional songs of Hinduism and Islam while exhorting everyone to be the people of goodwill and come together to celebrate the birth of Christ.

The dignitaries Mr. Peter Alphonse (Ex. MP), an Indian National Congress politician from Tamil Nadu; Prof. Va.Mu.Se. Aandavar, Principal (Kandaswami College, Chennai); Dr. Hajagani, HoD, Tamil Department, Quaide Milleth College, Chennai; Rev. Fr. Benedict (Regional Secretary, Interreligious Commission, TNBC) (Archdiocese of Madurai); and Mr. Francis Bastine lit the traditional lamp, followed by a prayerful reading from the gospel of Luke 2:1-14 and text from the Vatican II document, Nostra Aetate 1-3.

Mr. Peter Alphonse

The chief guest, Mr. Peter Alphonse, addressed the hundred-strong assembly of middle-aged and youth spoke about religion in India: ‘Interreligious dialogue is a need of the time. Religion had been the spiritual and social identity—it is now increasingly becoming a political identity. “Religion becomes poison when it justifies evil.” It can be used as a weapon of terror to fan socio-political hatred. Such a usage affects only the poor and the downtrodden. We must bear in mind that religion ‘has pervaded high and low of the society.’

Mr. Alphonse went on to cite the recent Australia shootout and Manipur tribal conflicts as examples of how religion was used for violence in the society. During the Mandaikaadu struggle, he stated that religion was used for discrimination. “Even Christianity too is affected by casteism in India,” he added. He agreed with EVR Periyar, who said, “One can change religious adherence but can’t change his/her caste.” “Baptism is not a passport to heaven.” (Yet, saves souls by imprinting an indelible mark as a child of God).

But, “Vatican II has declared that ‘every faith has got truth in it,’” Mr. Alphonse said. Continuing his message, he said, “In the genealogy of Jesus, there is no indication of race or religion. It (the genealogy) included even sinful persons as ancestors of Jesus. The genealogy also indicates that Jesus is the ‘Universal Lord.’

“If we need baptism to be saved, what about Gandhi, Mohammad Nabi, Stein…? They all were the doers of the gospel values. We find no religious prejudices among the prominent religious leaders. What will happen when the Kingdom of God ushers in? - Isaiah’s vision (Isaiah 11:7)—a vision of peace and harmony in a living kingdom that emphasizes the reconciliation of enmity, leading to a world characterized by justice, peace, and divine harmony—is the true heaven.

“When John the Baptist sought messianic revelation from Jesus, Jesus pointed out the reality: “deaf hear, dumb speaks, blind see, and the lame walk…” Wherever Christian missionaries set foot, they planted truth. We can change names, but we all have the Tamil identity. Religion must unite—not divide us. Mr. Peter Alphonse lauded the Salesian Fathers, who are doing wonderful pastoral services for the youth, and Fr. Benedict, who is fully dedicated to the ministry of interreligious dialogue.

Dr. Hajagani

Dr. Hajagani in his speech, says, "We are united because we live in unity." The main reason for all strife and conflicts is injustice. Justice is the mother of peace.

He too agreed that interreligious celebration of Christmas is needed. God must unite us all. Though people recognize our ‘identity,’ we must all live united. “ Today, thanks to missionaries, every Indian citizen has availed Christian services at some point of their lifetime.” Even many Islamic women in government services are educated by the Christians. Trying to remove the name of Gandhi is more harmful than taking his life away by the fantasists. When Mother Teresa was accused of conversion, Nehru (the then Prime Minister) said, “Ask your family women to do this job (of cleaning beggars), and I will send the Mother away.” It was very sad that the pronounced judgment on the cause of the death of the pastor Graham Stein was the result of anger over anti-conversion.

Moses encountered a burning bush, and now it is Tamil Nadu facing Deepathoon. With Job (book of Job), he said, let the “lamp shine the light.” Most of the people here are middle-aged; if we bring here 20-year-olds of today, most likely they all ‘will climb the transformers.’ Interreligious dialogue must be not only in communication but also in relationship.

Catholic writers modernized Tamil with prose and a dictionary. Lighting a lamp is lighting the heart and mind with the equality and spirituality of justice. He delightfully informed the audience, “I am writing a Tamil epic on “Blessed Virgin Mary” using Venbaa (a Tamil poetic form) for which I am consulting Mariologists. We have the scepter, we have the pen, and we have love and affection for everyone.

He quoted the incidences of Prophet Mohammad and Umar’s life of solidarity with people of Christian faith as a sign of religious tolerance. Dr. Hajagani concluded his speech reminding that Indian Muslims offered solidarity with women outraged in Manipur. “As we fight for rights,” he said, “we shouldn’t forgive injustices—which is a sin.”

Prof. V.M.S. Aandavar

Dr. Aandavar began his interreligious address with a note on Thaninayagam Adigal (Fr. Xavier Thaninayagam, 1913-1980), who introduced the World Tamil Conference and established the International Association for Tamil Research (IATR), thus giving globalism to the Tamil identity.

Religion must respect other religions. In Sangam Literature, all religions are inclusive and are welcomed. Thirukkural is one of the best moral teaching texts of the ancient past. Tamil is an ecological language in that it embodies integrated ecology and is highly interreligious in nature.

‘The first printed Tamil book is Thambiraan Wanakkam in 1578 (தம்பிரான் வணக்கம்) by Christians. It is sad today, that education and healthcare are increasingly becoming corporate business ventures. But Jesus is for the poor. Jesus always ‘calls’ (people), but never ‘asks’ (for things).’

“Tamil is both a modern and an ancient language. We are moving away from the world of wisdom (towards the “world of vibes”). Linguistic research is becoming uncommon nowadays. In a world where children are trapped in a violence-ridden and intolerant society, interreligious dialogue is important. Jesus demands that we must live for others. Jesus, being the merciful shepherd, shows mercy to the powerless. Likewise, an authentic religious person must respect others. Pongal is a Tamil Thanksgiving day (agricultural fest) that any religion can celebrate. We must accept and uphold local cultural symbols.” Dr. Aandavar said.

Aside from the scholarly and thought-provoking exchanges, the people gathered had lighter moments to remember. The interreligious gathering had a festive Christmas mood through carol singing by Mr. Sirish's group from Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, Broadway Chennai, who composed Dhaaveethin uurinile maattu kudilinile meetpar piranthullaar (தாவீதின் ஊரினிலே மாட்டு குடிலினிலே மீட்பர் பிறந்துள்ளார்), Silent Night, Holy Night, and Feliz Navidad.

Performers from Mahila Kalashetra (Ramapuram), Chennai, danced to the playback song “Indhia en thaai naadu” (composed by Fr. Jesudoss P.), evoking sentiment of secularism and assertion of the right to cultural diversity while holding fast to the patriotic flag. Three little Santas came with the message: “God is love. We must share love this year. And let us protect nature.”

Mr. Maria Michael (one of the organizers) thanked everyone, the dignitaries, and the participants. He gave the parting message: “The vision behind this program is that Christmas must become an interreligious celebration. Goodwill is needed for a sense of joy. Christmas is the celebration of humanism, human dignity, and human rights.

The program was sponsored by Mr. Reeta Devanesan of Thanjavur and others and organized by Fr. Jesudoss (Director-Deepagam), S. Maria Michael, and Antony Fernando; Mr. Santo, Mrs. Amali Martin, and Mrs. Pauline Rose, who animated the program. Prof. Idhayathulla (TN Congress Committee) and Prof. Jawahirullaa (MLA, Manitha Neya Makkal Katchi) were the special invitees who couldn’t participate in the gathering.