R Priya, after being elected as the mayor of the Chennai Corporation, met with controversial Bishop Ezra Sargunam immediately after becoming the mayor. On Friday, Priya was chosen unopposed to the position of Chennai Mayor in an indirect election. Priya, 28, was nominated as the DMK’s Mayor contestant for the Chennai Corporation on Thursday, March 3.
Soon after she was sworn in as the mayor, she went to meet Bishop Ezra Sargunam who is well known for his hate of Hindus. Photos of Priya with Bishop Ezra went viral over social media after she met him. Many people shared the photos alleging that she is a member of the Otteri ECI Church in Tamil Nadu.
A Twitter account with the name Indu Makkal Katchi wrote (@Indumakalktchi), “*Mayor of Chennai* is a member of *Ottery ECI Church*. She Went to visit *Bishop Ezra* to receive his blessings Now, any doubt on Gopalapuram connection – Crypto. This is total injustice to Dalit community.”
*Mayor of Chennai* is a member of *Ottery ECI Church*. She Went to visit *Bishop Ezra* to receive his blessings
— Indu Makkal Katchi (Offl) 🇮🇳 (@Indumakalktchi) March 5, 2022
Now, any doubt on Gopalapuram connection – Crypto.
This is total injustice to Dalit community. pic.twitter.com/3Vm7EXGL8c
Another user named Karthik Gopinath (@karthikgnath) wrote, “Chennai Mayor Priya seeks blessings from the rabidly anti Hindu missionary yesra sargunam. For folks who are unaware, this is the guy who said he is irritated just to hear the word Hindu and would want to punch the face if any one uttered the word Hindu. 👌”
Chennai Mayor Priya seeks blessings from the rabidly anti Hindu missionary yesra sargunam. For folks who are unaware , this is the guy who said he is irritated just to hear the word Hindu and would want to punch the face if any one uttered the word Hindu . 👌 pic.twitter.com/qC1tRzfJvi
— karthik gopinath (@karthikgnath) March 5, 2022
Who is Bishop Ezra Sargunam?
Bishop Ezra Sargunam is a divisive Christian preacher from Tamil Nadu. He has close relations with the DMK and has backed them on various occasions, particularly during elections. He is well-known for his intense animosity towards Hindus and his proclivity for church planting. A video showing him addressing a gathering of people and asking them to beat up anyone who says Hinduism is a religion went viral in June 2019.
“There is nothing called as a Hindu Religion, Punch them in their face couple of times, make them bleed and help them understand the truth” – Bishop Ezra Sargunam, now you know why M.K.Stalin wants to uproot Sanatana Dharma. pic.twitter.com/L8lwwZMVop
— Vishwatma 🇮🇳 (@HLKodo) June 12, 2019
In a January 2019 interview with the Christian prayer channel Jebam TV, He recalled his experience while seeking to convert Hindus during the Allahabad Kumbh Mela 50 years ago.
#noconversion
— DharmaRakshak (@oldhandhyd) January 14, 2019
Bishop Ezra Sargunam, TN.
Few decades ago, we went to Allahabad January mela (Kumbh) to spread gospel among ignorant masses taking dip in Ganges. Their mental make up is different. They tore up our books, clothes, trampled us & beat us up very badly.
😂😂
🕉️💪✌️ pic.twitter.com/gLbS5z3Qyw
In 2020, Bishop Ezra Sargunam made insulting remarks at Prime Minister Modi, stating he had no right to run the country because he couldn’t live with his wife for even five days.
.@narendramodi Sir how long will you bear with this and why? Sir be ruthless to this DMK AHs, these custards don’t deserve your kindness or mercy, This is just a sample for the hatred shown in yesterday’s DMK protest pic.twitter.com/uF2sFjGSiD
— Vishwatma 🇮🇳 (@HLKodo) December 19, 2020
Speaking during the gathering, Ezra Sargunam criticized the Modi government’s policies and stated that everything he said at the event should be heard in Delhi. Making personal attacks on PM Modi, the controversial Christian preacher stated that if Modi had lived with his wife for at least 5 days, he would have experienced the challenges of daily living.