In an interesting development, a Christian pastor and a self-proclaimed ‘Bishop’ named Godfrey Noble, has said that unless the demands of his party ‘All India Democracy Protection Kazhagam’ (AIJPK/AIDPK) are met, Stalin’s dream of becoming Chief Minister would remain a dream.
Speaking at a press meet, Godfrey Noble demanded that 7% of the 234 seats (16 seats) be given to his party and Christians.
He noted that the Christian population in Tamil Nadu is much higher than what is in the official records.
“Officially Christians make up 7% of the population. It is said that this has gone up to 12% now. But in reality, Christians are 35% of the population. You may ask how.. there are so many Dalits who have converted to Christianity. Apart from the Christians present in Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, and Kanyakumari, across India, Christians are Dalits who got converted. Since after conversion, they do not get benefits meant for Scheduled Caste as they get shifted to BC (Backward Community), close to 91% of the converts declare themselves as Hindus in government records to enjoy those benefits.” , the Chrisitian pastor said.
He said that government records won’t give the actual Christian population and emphasized that 35% of the population (2.75 crore voters) are Christians.
“There will be one CSI prayer house in a place/town. There will be one CPM (Pentecostal) prayer house in a place. Today, we have individual prayer houses in every street. If you take the case of Chennai, there are 10,000 prayer houses and 10,000 pastors. Every house now has a prayer house and Christians have grown. So, we are all getting together”, he said adding that 7% of the 234 seats should be given to them and that they would work for the DMK’s victory only if these demands are met.
He also warned that those (parties) who don’t respect Christians would be taught a lesson.
“My parents were CSI teachers and my family had been traditionally voting for the DMK. But now I am realizing , what is the use putting vote for them? Nothing!” Godfrey Nobel said.
He quipped that DMK MLAs would do nothing except pat the bench in the Assembly if Christians were to face problems.
“They (DMK people) cannot do any protest without approval from the leader (Stalin). But if we are in an alliance and if we face any issue in any corner, we will exert pressure by walking out of the Assembly and conducting protests. We are answerable to only God.”, he said adding that they are not willing to contest in the DMK’s symbol and that the DMK should treat them like how they treat Islamic parties.
He also demanded that they be given appropriate representation in the Cabinet with the Department of Minority Affairs exclusively allocated for his party.
He also warned that Stalin could only become Tamil Nadu Chief Minister if the DMK concedes to these demands. “If they do not accept these demands, they are throwing mud on themselves” Godfrey said adding that it mark the beginning of their bad times.
Responding to a reporter who asked if he was threatening the DMK chief, the pastor said that he was challenging and was requesting M.K. Stalin.
“Is he God? He is also like me only. Is he a ‘lord labaku doss’ (big shot)? Is he such a big man? He is also going to die in some days, I am also going to die. The cemetery is ready”, Godfrey Noble said.
“They can shoot Godfrey Noble. But they can’t do anything till I am alive. We are demanding only seats not their share of wealth”, Godfrey Nobel said.
Who is Godfrey Noble?
Godfrey Noble is a controversial Christian pastor and a self-proclaimed ‘bishop’ hailing from Palayamkottai in Tirunelveli district. He started off as a small time electronics shop owner and is the founder of Jesus Saves Ministries running a small Church named “Pure Trinity Cathedral” in Itteri village near Palayamkottai. His wife Arulmati Esuvadiyal is the sister of the wife of another rabid Christian evangelist Mohan C. Lazarus who recently expressed regret in the Madras High Court for denigrating Hindus and Hindu Gods. However, Mohan C. Lazarus cut off his relationship with Noble after the latter filed cases against him as he had refused to give him money to repay the loans the latter had got through banks and from individuals. Godfrey Nobel tried to achieve truce with Mohan C Lazarus, who has no kids, by ‘offering his son’ for ₹5 lakhs, which was also refused by the latter.
Godfrey Nobel was jailed for three months for torturing kids in the orphanage run by him. He had reportedly placed hot iron rods in their bodies. He had contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Vellore and Mumbai South Central constituencies as a candidate of Desiya Makkal Sakthi Katchi. He contested in the Nanguneri by-election too. He is now the head of ‘All India Democracy Protection Party’.
