Even if politician Saravanan beats a retreat, preacher Zamri Vinoth must still face the music

 

THE verbal clash between MIC deputy president Datuk Seri M. Saravanan and Muslim convert preacher Zamri Vinoth did not happen because good sense prevailed in the end.

Saravanan decided to withdraw his challenge all for the sake of national harmony. It was a sensible move given that a debate over a very sensitive religious matter could have triggered adverse repercussions.

But did Zamri share the same concern about preserving peace among the various races of different faiths?

What was his reaction to Saravanan’s retraction? According to his warped thinking, Saravanan realised he made a mistake in issuing the challenge, hence decided to cancel the debate.

And it follows that Zamri is in the right and Saravanan is in the wrong. It makes the former look like an innocent man who has been dealt a grave injustice.

What was the MIC leader’s mistake? He slandered me, claimed Zamri. But the controversy erupted when the Muslim convert made a mockery of the traditional kavadi ritual during Thaipusam.

Now, it looks like Zamri is portraying himself as an aggrieved victim who was vindicated when the debate was called off.

Maybe, he can go around the country to trumpet himself as the hero who won his fight without firing a shot.

Police reports piling up

The preacher is not new to controversies. According to Saravanan, numerous police reports have been lodged against him for years but no action was taken.

And the reports keep piling up. In the latest row, nearly 900 reports have been lodged against Zamri.

Since Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Razarudin Husain has said investigation paper has been submitted to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), it looks like the preacher might face the music this time around.

For far too long, the controversial convert has been left unscathed for reasons best known to the authorities. Perhaps, Zamri thinks his status as a Muslim preacher makes his person immune to criminal charges.

Or maybe he thinks the Indian community is too small and weak to mount an effective challenge.

Another possibility is that he has this idea swirling in his head that he is well protected by the dominant race, hence nobody can shake him or touch the hem of his garment.

Whatever it is, Zamri – despite his denial – has mocked a great religion and he must face the consequences.

If he is let off the hook again, then the only way to bring him around is for all Hindus to hold massive prayers on certain days to pray for sanity to prevail.

It is also to send a message to Zamri that Hinduism “tells everyone to worship god according to his own faith … and so it lives at peace with all religions”. 

Phlip Rodrigues is a retired journalist.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.

- Focus Malaysia.