Authorities should act against questionable cults

ADUN SPEAKS | Article 11 of the Federal Constitution of Malaysia guarantees religious freedom for Malaysians. One is free to profess and practice his religion. In this multiracial, multireligious, society, Malaysians can co-exist peacefully, because of their tolerant nature. 

Although there are parties who would love to see us divided by religious lines, it’s not easy to break our unity, because of the tolerance that we have built over the years.

Yesterday’s Thaipusam celebration is a hallmark of Malaysia’s multicultural society, where Hindus celebrate the festival, while some Buddhists and others join in. Muslim brethren who are serving as police, doctors, firemen and in other enforcement agencies, have no complaints to be on duty in the festival. 

We celebrate our differences - that’s the uniqueness of Malaysians - but sometimes I wonder if our tolerance will be taken for granted by some people. 

Yesterday, I came across a ‘refreshment booth’ during Penang Thaipusam which openly promoted a wanted foreign criminal as a reincarnation of a Hindu God. Such acts are not only ridiculing the religion, but should also be considered an act of insult against the religious practices of Hindus.

Yes, I’m talking about the notorious Nithyanandha. 

The fugitive who is wanted in India, for rape and abduction cases, also being investigated by French authorities for fraud involving $400,000. The wanted criminal fled India few months ago, and went into hiding. 

And from his hideout, he announced of creation of his own nation named ‘Kailasa’ and started ‘recruiting citizens’ for the country. Initially, it was said that he has bought an island in Ecuador, and was turning it into his ‘nation’. However, the Ecuador government made it clear that they have rejected his request for asylum.

Recently, the Interpol has issued a blue corner notice against Nithyanandha (below).

Despite all these cases, some of his followers in Malaysia, are openly propagating the teaching of the fugitive godman, claiming that he’s reincarnation of Lord Shiva. They’re using the ‘healing’ tactics to attract the people.

Their act of depicting the wanted criminal in the form of Hindu gods is certainly causing anger among Hindus in Malaysia. As recent as two days ago, followers started spreading a bogus ad-video saying the fugitive can cure the Novel Coronavirus outbreak if people chant his name for 48 hours. 

Surprisingly, some temple managements, including the Batu Caves, are allowing his supporter to run booths. It is understandable, temple committees getting rental from these booths, but don’t they need to check what are the tenants of such booths are doing? 

Promoting a cult led by wanted criminal, who is depicted as a god, during a major religious festival is permissible for these committees? In Penang, after repeated reminders to the temple committee, this cult was kept out of the temple compound. However, they managed to masquerade as a ‘refreshment booth’ and later turn it into a promotional booth. Some concerned youths then confronted the cult members, and the booth was gone later.

But, what about other temples throughout the Malaysia? Are they going to allow the cult that promotes a wanted criminal as a reincarnation of God to be operate freely to promote their heresy? Are they endorsing the cult’s activities, that clearly insulting the Hindu gods? Or are these temple committees are blinded by the rental fees that cult is paying for the booths? 

What about the Malaysian Hindu Sangam's leader RS Mohan Shan? Can he not speak up against Nithyanandha’s cult in Malaysia? 

In the past, Malaysia has handled rise of the cults, that are deviants and also misleading the masses. The teapot cult or Sky Kingdom (below) was one such cult that was acted against. Why can’t the authorities act against the Nithyanandha cult in same manner?

Can we have police intelligence doing some research on this cult? Aren’t their financial activities scrutinised by the Malaysian authorities, considering the fugitive godman is said to be involved in multi-countries money laundering activities?

Of course, Article 11 of Federal Constitution guarantees individual religious liberty. But is it applicable for ‘cults’ that are masquerading as religions? Who can decide this?

Article 11(5) of Federal Constitution explicitly mentioning that Article 11 doesn’t authorise or protect immoral activities. Those who have known about Nithyanandha would know what kind of immorality and negative effects this cult has on society.

It’s about the time, authorities stop this cult from hurting the religious sensitivities of Hindus in Malaysia. There’s already a wanted fugitive from India who has made Malaysia as his safe haven after fleeing his home country. Authorities should act.

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SATEES MUNIANDY is state assemblyperson for Bagan Dalam and a Penang Hindu Endowments Board commissioner. - Mkini