Beware of ill-intent, mischievous portrayal of Hindu religious rituals to spark disharmony

 

THE unauthorised temple structures issue is dominating the national discourse with plenty of words being exchanged – not all pleasant – and in some instances even remotely true.

In this very heated atmosphere, the scenario becomes ripe for manipulation as the Indian community, especially of Hindu faith, is demonised as thieving land grabbers.

This is especially true in the wild frontiers of social media where all manner of untruths and misinformation can be passed off as gospel.

The latest example involves a video of a Hindu ceremony in Penang that has been making the rounds. In the clip, Hindu devotees along with a priest is seen placing a wooden pole in the ground while prayers are conducted.

Just as the devil will find work for idle hands, keyboard warriors with a decidedly rightist slant have passed off this video as more evidence of illegal land encroachment.

It is insinuated that the event was a consecration ceremony where these Hindu devotees were staking a claim on the spot for a shrine which many rightist commenters have predicted would sprout into a full-blown house of worship.

This is when administrative officer in Penang Education Department (Education Ministry) Kumanan Kadasamy tried to set the record straight with a lengthy explanation on his Facebook page with the hope that it will clear up any misconceptions that are making the rounds.

He explained that such ritual known as “phanthalkaal” is a symbolic ceremony of erecting the first pole of the tent or “pandal” that will be used during Hindu festivities which include weddings.

Unfortunately for this well-intentioned civil servant, he may be up against an army of paid cybertroopers and rightist keyboard warriors who seem hell-bent on pushing a narrative that the Indian community does not respect laws and are always looking to take advantage by staking claims on land not belonging to them.

This attempt at clarifying matters was also met with plenty of racist invective underlining that a propaganda war is in full swing.

This toxic narrative can be seen repeated on various social media platforms. Take for an example the post on X by Tony Montana (@Y_X_Sucks) above which shared the clip of the solemn ceremony with a vague caption that insinuated this was start for an unauthorised temple structure to be erected.

Although several presumably Hindu commenters have also pointed out that this was probably the start of a religious ceremony – most likely the recent Thaipusam or wedding celebrations – this poster has seen fit to NOT take down the post nor edit it in a way to reflect the true nature of the scenario.

A few commenters called out the poster for sowing seeds of discord with such irresponsible content with one arguing it was obvious what the poster was trying to do despite his pleas of innocence – that he made no mention of “temples” in his post.

However, it does seem that the poster has got his cheerleaders who are only too keen to further spread such toxicity and misinformed content.

The issue is both sensitive and emotive whereby in a highly charged atmosphere, can act as a tinderbox.

Citizens need to avoid getting swept in the wave of misinformation that is seeking to bend the truth to suit certain agendas. Be very wary when swallowing info fed on social media. –  Focus Malaysia