The Tamil Nadu BJP has strongly criticized the DMK government’s decision to officially rename Waddells Road in Kilpauk, Chennai, as “Archbishop Ezra Sargunam Road” in honor of Ezra Sargunam the now-dead rabid Christian pastor who has made several provocative speeches against Hindus. The new nameplate was unveiled by DMK Minister Nehru during a formal ceremony accompanied by Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Minister Sekarbabu, Chennai Mayor Priya, and DMK MLA Inigo Irudhayaraj.
This move has sparked significant controversy and backlash, with critics accusing the state government of Christian appeasement. Many have raised concerns over Archbishop Ezra Sargunam‘s past remarks and his anti-Hindu stance, describing him as a polarizing figure and hardline Christian fundamentalist. The decision has ignited debate over the appropriateness of naming public infrastructure after individuals with divisive reputations.
Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagendran expressed strong disapproval through his official social media channels, stating, “It is a shame that the DMK Government has named Waddels road in Chennai after Late Father Ezra Sargunam, a known-Hindu hater. The video I have attached is proof of the venom he has spewed against Hindus. He has openly instigated violence against Hindus. Is there no limits for DMK’s Minority appeasement politics? The people of Tamil Nadu are watching. I urge the TN Government to immediately rollback the decision to name Waddels Road after Father Ezra Sargunam.”
He has also attached a video compiling several of Archbishop Sargunam’s controversial hate mongering remarks, where he questions the legitimacy of Hinduism as a religion, referring to it as “artificial” and historically nonexistent. In one clip, he challenges Muslims to confront Hindus and even advocates physical retaliation, saying, “Those who are called Hindus will say that historically, there was no such religion. Hinduism is very artificial religion, there is no such religion. Take up the challenge and you tell them all this Take many points from people like Dr. Babu Varghese, take the truth and tell them. Tell them, “You don’t have such a religion at all”. You are deceiving the people. If you don’t say it, what I say is, punch them twice in the face. It’s okay, God will forgive. This is a Christian country. 200 years ago, there was no religion called Hinduism in this country. I don’t know how Muslims are tolerating this. Usually, they will rise up fiercely. Maybe the time for that hasn’t come yet, I don’t know. They have laid hands on you, brother. You have to take care of it. Our God told us, if slapped on one cheek, show the other. When they hit again, I only have one more cheek left. Next, our Dehlan Baqavi is here. He has two cheeks. I can only point and say you can hit him if you want. Therefore, we don’t know how to do these things. Therefore, you must rise up, you must rise up in rage.”
It is a shame that the DMK Government has named Waddels road in Chennai after Late Father Ezra Sargunam, a known-Hindu hater.
The video I have attached is proof of the venom he has spewed against Hindus. He has openly instigated violence against Hindus.
Is there no limits for… pic.twitter.com/QjbnZpLABT
— Nainar Nagenthiran (@NainarBJP) July 22, 2025
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