HRP stages demo over shrine demolishment

However, the party is upset with the state government for not assigning an official to recieve its memorandum.

SHAH ALAM: Some 30 Human Rights Party (HRP) members staged a protest here yesterday over the demolition of the Glenmarie Muneeswaran shrine.

However, they were disappointed that no officials from the Menteri Besar’s office came to receive the memorandum.

The shrine was demolished for a second time on Nov 24, and this was the sixth such demolition under the Pakatan Rakyat government since 2008. The demolitions took place despite Pakatan promising not to tear down places of worship.

HRP central executive member S Thiagarajan told FMT that although yesterday was a public holiday in the state, HRP had given a written notice of the demonstration.

“Why couldn’t Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim ask one of his state excos or his assistants to receive the memorandum on his behalf?” he asked.

Citing the Bersih rallies as examples, he said it was common for memorandums to be handed on Sundays or public holidays.

“If we turn up suddenly to hand over the memorandum then it is wrong, but in this case we already informed the Menteri Besar’s Office via a letter.

“It seems like the Pakatan government in Selangor is no longer interested in hearing the problems of the Indian community,” he added.

Asked about the contents of the memorandum, Thiagarajan explained that the document urged the menteri besar to look into four areas.

1. Criminal proceedings need to be initiated against the offenders (those responsible for the demolition)
2. One acre of land to be provided to the temple by the state government
3. Pakatan must renew its promise with regard to the demolishment of Hindu shrines
4. The state government should make an inventory of all Hindu temples and shrines. A plan needs to be laid out to provide them with land

“Our intention is not to cause trouble, but rather to find a solution for this long-standing problem,” said the HRP leader.

Thiagarajan also lashed out at the state government over the reasons given for the latest demolition, such as it was not a temple but a shrine, it was not constructed according to the principles of Hinduism, it was being used by those seeking lottery numbers and cars being parked along the road caused traffic problems.

“It is extremely dangerous to make such conclusions without a proper understanding of Hindu worship practices,” he said.