A Tamil opinion column argues that Christian missionary activity, described as focused on conversion, is increasingly adopting local cultural vocabulary and Sanskrit-sounding references to make evangelism appear closer to Hindu tradition.
The writer says that in parts of southern Tamil Nadu such as Tirunelveli, Kanniyakumari and Thoothukudi, the word “Veda” is often popularly associated with the Bible, and alleges that missionaries have sought to appropriate terms linked to the four Vedas. According to the column, this is used to reduce the sense of guilt among potential converts by presenting Jesus worship as something supposedly rooted in ancient rishi traditions.
A key example cited is the use of the Hindu term “Prajapati”, traditionally associated in Vedic and later texts with the creator deity Brahma. The author claims evangelists now assert “Jesus is Prajapati” and attempt to support the idea by selectively invoking Hindu scriptures.
The column points to cultural productions such as an “Om Shalom” musical drama, said to feature actor “Nizhalgal” Ravi, and alleges it promotes the “Om” symbol and the “Jesus as Prajapati” narrative. It also mentions political figures—DMK leader and former minister Mano Thangaraj and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam MLA and Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar—being linked to, respectively, support for a missionary initiative and the release of a trailer for a film titled “Prajapati”.
Concluding, the writer alleges that such messaging, including the creation of “fake Sanskrit mantras” and pamphlets claiming “Christ in the ancient Vedas”, is part of a long-running strategy dating back to the colonial period and now amplified through mass media to influence Hindu beliefs and encourage conversion.
