Staircase shrine sparks safety concern and neighbourly consideration

 

WE HAVE every reason to feel pride towards our religion which forms a major feature of our culture and tradition. 

After all, no great civilisation can form without the bed rock of a firm and sound moral structure which makes humans civilised.

Regardless, that pride can also become an obstacle towards unity when there are many races living in the same place.

Consideration is a key ingredient in such an endeavour, and sadly, it comes in scarce quantities.

Take it from a recent post on X where a netizen highlighted the placement of a deity at the side of the staircase in a residential property.

A cement platform had been erected under it, which effectively cuts off about nearly a quarter of the space on the stairs.

To make matters worse, the residential property does not come with a lift. 

Acts like these are bound to upset the neighbours and we are unsurprised. Netizen @baganmariiii for example, said sarcastically in the comment section of the post that the deity existed there even before the apartment.

“Can make a report to the fire department too. Obstruction of the pathway. If anything happens, it is a risk for the people who are trying to save themselves,” said @mfadhilmhd.

Another netizen conjectured that the deity cannot be placed inside as he would ask for more food. “That is why they let him sit outside so the passerby can give free food,” he added.

But away from all the hateful comments and stereotypes, the Indian community has proven its tolerance by quickly removing the deity from the pathway.

Even the Indians were against the placement of the shrine. According to Malaysia Hindu Sangam vice-president RS Mohan Shan, the shrine could endanger residents by obstructing emergency evacuation routes and potentially spark disputes with neighbours if it is removed or tampered with.

“We do not encourage placing a shrine at a staircase landing,” he reportedly said to Free Malaysia Today.

“People might smoke near the shrine, leaving ash or cigarette residue. Others may spit nearby. From Hindu Sangam’s perspective, it should be removed immediately,” he pointed out. — Focus Malaysia