Ramasamy links Rawang temple demolition to federal directive

 

URIMAI Chairman Professor Dr Ramasamy in a statement on Facebook pointed out that while thousands of illegal foodstalls, restaurants, workshops and places of worship dot the urban landscape of Malaysia, only Hindu temples have gotten the “illegal,” label.

“The extremist movement against “illegal” temples would not have gained the present political traction had the government stuck to law and order,” he said.

According to Ramasamy, he recently participated in a dialogue session organised by “The Rise of Indians,” a social movement that seeks to represent and articulate the various political, social, cultural and religious issues faced by the Indian/Hindu community in Malaysia.

The  dialogue attended by many including committee members of Hindu temples was to identify ways and means to legalise Hindu temples in the country that are considered as “problematic” by the authorities.

He identified Satees Muniandy from Urimai and the former state assemblyman of Bagan Dalam as one of the speakers. Lawyers Siti Kassim, Rajesh Nagarajan and others were also present.

“Rajesh will be filing a legal case against the authorities and the vigilantes for the demolition of the Hindu temple in Rawang,” said Ramasamy.

Ramasamy added that there was none other than Anwar in his zest to appease the Malay-Muslims that sought to define the 130-year old Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman Hindu temple in Masjid India as “illegal” and subject to relocation in favour of a new Madani mosque.

He said it was only after this infamous incident that the concept of “illegal” gained currency about Hindu temples in the country, the failed attempt to organise a demonstration in front of Sogo coinciding with the visit of PM Narendra Modi, and Anwar’s subsequent instructions to local councils to take action against “illegal” temples.

“In fact, those who were involved in the destruction of the Hindu temple in Rawang revealed that they were merely following the directive of Anwar in removing the “illegal” temple structures,” Ramasamy pointed out.

Anwar having unleashed the “demon,” then  found it necessary to refocus on the need to maintain law and order in the country.

It is a bit late as one temple was destroyed and there is possibility other Hindu temples might be identified by the vigilantes.

“Anwar who was once the “hero”of the Indian community has shown his true colours by becoming a “zero,” said Ramasamy.

However, the unfortunate “good” side of the fury against “illegal” temples is the realisation in the Hindu community that they need to protect their places of worship and at the same time do the necessary to ensure their legal protection of their temples in the country.

Ramasamy continued that while the setting up of institutions are important such as the Hindu Endowments Board at the national level, there is a need for a powerful political will. Without the political will, institutions will not have the vitality of their own.

“I found time following the dialogue to realise that what the country really needs is an alternative government; alternative to the present, pretentious, obnoxious and hypocritical government of PH-led coalition,” he said. 

f minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.

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

-  Focus Malaysia.