Woman slams temple’s poor treatment of disabled relative

 

A video screenshot shows the temple chairman (pictured) being confronted by Vicky Cumarasamy.

PETALING JAYA: A woman in a row with a temple’s management for disallowing her wheelchair-bound brother-in-law from entering a prayer area, today rubbished the reasoning given by its committee’s adviser.

In a video posted on social media on Sunday, the woman, Vicky Cumarasamy, could be heard confronting the temple’s management for not allowing her wheelchair-bound brother-in-law into the prayer area.

Subsequently, activist and temple adviser Arun Doraisamy said the incident was due to a misunderstanding, and that there was no prohibition against wheelchairs in the prayer area.

However, Arun conceded that temporary structures in the temple would impede wheelchair access.

Vicky disagreed with Arun’s remark about temporary structures impeding wheelchair access.

“He (the temple chairman) allowed my brother-in-law (a foreigner), who was in a wheelchair, to be in the temple, but only at the side.

“What is the difference between allowing the wheelchair to be at the side of the temple, but not directly in front of the statues? Arun’s statement does not hold water,” she told FMT.

Vicky said there was no point in being at the side of the temple as one would not be able to see the image of God and pray.

“My brother-in-law specifically came to the temple at 6am for special prayers as he recently suffered a stroke. Only my family members were there that morning.”

She said there were no ramps for disabled people at the temple.

Vicky said a similar incident took place in 2014 when the temple management barred wheelchair-bound devotees from entering its premises. She said that eventually led to a demonstration.

“Those who are wheelchair-bound should be given priority. You go anywhere in the world and they are prioritised, even at temples. Why is this temple depriving them of their right to pray?” she asked.

On April 26, 2014, a peaceful protest by a group of disabled people outside a Hindu temple in Petaling Jaya led to a verbal confrontation when the group was confronted by the temple’s management. - FMT