Madras University Cancels Controversial Lecture on Christian Evangelism

Impact of Hindus’ Opposition

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) – Madras University has decided to cancel a scheduled lecture on “How to Evangelize in India ?” and “Why is Christianity Necessary ?” The decision came after strong opposition from Hindu groups.

The university’s Department of History and Archaeology had organized the lecture, raising questions about its relevance to the department’s field of study. Hindu groups questioned why such a lecture was being held under the name of S. Subramania Ayyar, a 20^th-century Chief Justice of the Madras High Court and a Tamil Brahmin, arguing that Christianity had no connection to his legacy.

Amid growing protests, the Ancient History and Archaeology Department issued an official statement announcing the lecture’s cancellation. The letter, signed by Dr. J. Sundararajan, the department head, cited administrative reasons for the cancellation. However, the letter did not clarify how the lecture was initially approved.