“Don’t be a kill-joy; din from Deepavali firecrackers can’t be worse than that of Hari Raya, CNY”

 

THIS is not to condone irresponsible lighting of firecrackers but rather a test of racial and religious tolerance as the somehow entitled lot gets ticked off for raising their furore over deafening firecrackers display in their neighbourhood as Malaysian Indians of  Hindu faith usher in Deepavali today (Nov 8).

Alluding to “what’s wrong bear it for at least for 24 hours”, one mother with a toddler found herself at the receiving end – and especially so from her own brethren – for having declared that she had lodge police report over the incessant burning of firecrackers on the stroke of midnight.

“I reported because some people are too dumb to figure out the appropriate time to set off firecrackers. If they want to play with them, they should do so at 9pm,” penned Threader @nurulhasanahrusdi.

I’m sorry fellow netizens. Some of us have small children. Please use your brains to consider those with young kids, babies or people who are already asleep. Have some respect.

“Regardless if you’re Malay, Chinese or Indians – you guys are all stupid if you let off firecrackers past 12am. I’m not just bashing one specific race, ya. I’m not a racist.

At a time when race relations in Malaysia have been going through rough times especially with the rightist fraternity continuously having a bone to pick with the Indian community over the kuil haram (illegal temple) polemic, it is heartening to know that there is a line drawn somewhere.

“Don’t forget to also lodge police report during Hari Raya and CNY (Chinese  New Year), too, okay … Don’t be overly biased …,” mocked one netizen with one Thinesh Rajaindren (@thineshrajaindren) openly thanking “my fellow Malay brothers/sisters for being kind for us here Happy Deepavali ”.

“It’s normal – there’ll always be some people who’re reluctant to be tolerant. Just continue playing, bro! Hahahaha,” quipped one seemingly Malay netizen.

This was when father of a toddler who was awake at the wee hours of the morning felt “the need to give our Indian friends a break as Deepavali only comes once a year”.

“I’ve a baby and as I’m typing at 4:33am, the firecrackers are still going off. Is this disturbing?? Basically yes, it’s very disturbing,” he contended.

“But Deepavali is a once-a-year affair so let our Indian friends celebrate their festival … as if we ourselves don’t burn  fireworks during Hari Raya. Happy Deepavali to all Malaysian Indians. ”

One fair-minded woman commenter pointed to no harm the so-called majority race be a “little tolerance”.

“Deepavali comes once a year, Chinese New Year is once a year and Aidilfitri, too, is a once-a-year occasion,” reasoned Nolly (@nollynurlida).

“In these two to three days, they (Hindus) want to celebrate their festival of lights. We ourselves also let off firecrackers during the puasa month and Hari Raya. Even for a longer period. A month.”

Touchingly, one presumably Hindu netizen came forward to appeal to the irate poster to practise some sense of tolerance.

“Sister, tonight is the very first night of the Deepavali celebrations. After all the hard work – cleaning the house, preparing food, cooking – and with some family members perhaps only just arriving after a long drive, do give them a chance to enjoy a little,” pleaded one MOA | Mother of Alma (@ motherofalma).

I understand it might be a disturbance to your peace but it’s only for a night or two. Is it really necessary to overreact to the point of filing a formal complaint?

A little tolerance and consideration go a long way. Please, just let them be happy and celebrate their special occasion.

Her appeal did not fall on dead ears as many Malay Muslins lauded her call for tolerance while extending a deserving Happy Deepavali to their Hindu compatriots.

Barring reckless firecrackers display, for once Malaysians get to cherish the irony of firecrackers being an agent of unity in the country. 

- Focus Malaysia