Temple agrees to build special route for wheelchair users

 

A screenshot from the video showing the temple chairman being confronted by a woman after her brother-in-law was prevented from entering the prayer area.

PETALING JAYA: A temple here has agreed to build a temporary route for wheelchair users to access a prayer area after its management had drawn flak for disallowing a wheelchair-bound devotee from doing so.

The NGO Malaysia Hindhudharma Maamandram said the temple management had promised to build the temporary route in two weeks’ time.

Its president, Radhakrishnan Alagamalai, said its officers met the temple chairman on Monday and were told that he was firm in his decision not to allow wheelchairs inside the temple.

The temple chairman said he would allow wheelchair-bound devotees to conduct their prayers from outside.

“We are unable to accept his decision and the so-called policy of the temple.

“We have requested the temple management to build a temporary route to allow wheelchairs inside for prayers,” Radhakrishnan said in a statement.

In a video posted on social media on Sunday, a woman could be heard confronting the temple management after it disallowed her wheelchair-bound brother-in-law from entering the prayer area.

Radhakrishnan urged all temples to abide by the provision under Section 34A of the Uniform Building By-Laws 1984 and the standard for universal design and accessibility to ensure that all facilities were disabled-friendly. - FMT