The DMK government has once again sparked outrage by renaming a road near Chennai Central after a controversial Christian preacher known for his anti-Hindu rhetoric. In a move widely seen as yet another instance of minority appeasement ahead of the 2026 assembly elections, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s government officially renamed Waddells Road in Kilpauk, Chennai, as ‘Archbishop Ezra Sargunam Road’.
The late Ezra Sargunam, who headed the Evangelical Church of India, was known for making inflammatory and derogatory statements against Hindus and openly promoting religious conversion. The new nameplate was unveiled during a formal ceremony by DMK Minister K.N. Nehru, in the presence of HR&CE Minister Sekarbabu, Chennai Mayor Priya, and DMK MLA Inigo Irudhayaraj.
The decision has provoked sharp criticism from Hindu organisations and the general public, who view it as a deliberate insult to the sentiments of the majority community.
The Tamil Nadu government, in a press release, stated: “A road in Kilpauk, in Ward 100, has been renamed ‘Archbishop Ezra Sargunam Road’, where the Evangelical Church of India’s first national leader had lived.” Minister for Municipal Administration and Water Supply K.N. Nehru inaugurated the newly-named road on 18th July.
However, the move has ignited public backlash due to Sargunam’s history of provocative and deeply offensive remarks. He had claimed that “Hinduism doesn’t exist” and openly called on Christians to physically attack Hindus who oppose them.
Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagendran voiced strong opposition on social media platform X. He stated: “It is a shame that the DMK Government has named Waddells Road in Chennai after the 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. Are there no limits to the DMK’s minority appeasement politics? The people of Tamil Nadu are watching. I urge the Tamil Nadu Government to immediately revoke the decision to name Waddells Road after Father Ezra Sargunam.”
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 Nagenthran (@NainarBJP) July 22, 2025
Hindu Munnani and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) also condemned the move and demanded a rollback of the decision.
The Indu Makkal Katchi pointed out the irony, stating: “Wall Tax Road was once renamed after V.O. Chidambaram, a freedom fighter who launched a shipping company to challenge British dominance. Now, a road is being renamed after a rabid Hindu-hater and soul-vulture – Ezra Sargunam.”
Wall Tax Road was actually renamed V.O.Chidambaram Road after the nationalist who started a shipping company to compete with the English.
But now its been renamed after a rabid Hindu Hater and Soul Vulture – Ezra Sargunam.
— Indu Makkal Katchi (off) (@Indumakalktchi) July 24, 2025
Ezra Sargunam was formerly the head of the Evangelical Church of India and led an aggressive proselytising campaign, aiming to establish one lakh churches across India by 2056. By 2005, over 2,000 churches had already been set up under his leadership. He has also made repeated derogatory statements about Hindus and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Some of Sargunam’s deeply controversial and Hinduphobic statements include:
“Hindu is not a religion.”
“Slap or thrash someone who refuses to convert to Christianity – make them bleed – God will forgive you.”
“At Haridwar’s Kumbh Mela, I distributed Christian literature to Hindus and was driven away. That only strengthened my resolve.”
“This is a Christian country.”
“There was no dharma called ‘Hindu’ 200 years ago. ‘Hindu’ is a fake community created for political purposes.”
“I don’t understand how Muslims are tolerating this.”
These statements reflect the extreme hostility with which Sargunam approached Hinduism and Hindus.
Best of #EzraSargunam https://t.co/KGVruWSFD8
— Vishwatma 🇮🇳 ( மோடியின் குடும்பம் ) (@HLKodo) June 17, 2019
He had also urged the radical Islamist outfit SDPI to take on Hindus who questioned them, promising support from political leaders like Vaiko, Thirumavalavan, and M.K. Stalin. This appeal was made just nine months ago in connection with the #Ramalingam case.
#EzraSargunam https://t.co/D6jGc0qItR
— Vishwatma 🇮🇳 ( மோடியின் குடும்பம் ) (@HLKodo) June 17, 2019
In one of his speeches, Sargunam shockingly declared:
“There is nothing called the Hindu religion. Punch them in the face a couple of times, make them bleed, and help them understand the truth.”
The decision to honour such a figure with a road name, and the AIADMK’s concurrent decision to regularise encroachment on temple lands, together expose the perverse political calculus of the Dravidian parties – one that seems determined to undermine the faith and rights of the Hindu majority in Tamil Nadu.
