Hate speech: Ezra Sargunam summoned

Advocate R Thangadurai, from Olaipadi village in Perambalur district, filed a petition in the Perambalur court on Tuesday for the arrest of the Bishop Sargunam for his alleged hate speech. 

In his petition, he mentioned an event organised by Viduthalai Chiruthai Katchi on April 24, condemning the Ponparapi incident in which the Bishop of Evangelical Church of India (ECI) in Keelpakkam Ezra Sargunam spoke degrading the Vanniyar community people, especially the PMK founder Ramadoss and the youth wing leader Anbumani Ramadoss.

The advocate claimed that the speech of the bishop had created ripples among the people and maligns the name of the PMK leaders. He also asked a compensation of Rs 1 crore for defaming the leaders. The magistrate Ashok Prasath who heard the case, summoned the bishop to appear in the court by May 6.