Praising inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar for barring a lecture by Muslim scholar Zakir Naik, the Malaysian Hindu Sangam said he would have done the same if it involved a Hindu speaker.
"I am sure the IGP would not allow similar forums to be organised by Hindus where we compare and criticise Islam that would cause uneasiness amongst the Muslims in this country.
"Likewise, we expect similar understanding and respect to be extended to the Hindus," said its president RS Mohan Shan in a media statement.
Yesterday, Khalid ordered the forum slated for April 17 in Malacca titled 'Similarities between Islam and Hinduism' to be called off citing religious sensitivities.
However, the police chief agreed for a lecture to held in Kuala Lumpur on April 16 titled 'Is Quran the God's word' to proceed with the condition that the organisers ensure other faiths are not belittled.
The Hindu Sangam insisted that all of Zakir's lectures deemed to be seditious be stopped.
Mohan also called for the controversial Muslim scholar, who hails from India, to be deported in the interest of racial harmony.
"Having a foreigner who does not understand the racial and cultural scope of the country, and who speaks ill of other religions such as Hinduism will only provoke the sentiments of the Hindus here, and may unnecessarily create uneasiness among races.
"The uneasiness is already evident through the various social media now," he added.
Mohan said Hindus are not against any scholars who promote and enhance their respective religious or spiritual knowledge, but only those who discriminate and undermine other religions at their forums.
Focus on own religion
Meanwhile, Malaysian Indian Progressive Association (Mipas) secretary-general S Barathidasan said he would similarly protest should a Hindu priest be invited to talk about Hinduism and Islam.
“In the first place, will our government allow such a talk? Even I as a Hindu will not say yes. We should focus on our own religion.
“There may be similarities in our culture but when it comes to religion, that is a very sensitive subject,” he told Malaysiakini when contacted.
Organisers of the forum had yesterday said non-Muslims are welcomed to attend Zakir’s lectures and will be given priority to question him.
Barathidasan, however, turned down the offer and insisted that the Mumbai-based preacher should be banned from speaking.
"I don't think I will be coming. We want him banned.
“Even if he (Zakir) is talking about similarities (between Hindu and Islam), at the ending part he would surely defend his own religion. So just talk about your own religion,” he added. -Mkini
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