NGOs slams govt for late SOPs on Thaipusam
PUTRAJAYA: A group of Hindu NGOs have slammed the government for issuing Thaipusam SOPs banning kavadis five days before the festival, claiming devotees had started their preparations long before that. The group also questioned the decision by the National Security Council (MKN) to prohibit stalls from being set up during…
PUTRAJAYA: A group of Hindu NGOs have slammed the government for issuing Thaipusam SOPs banning kavadis five days before the festival, claiming devotees had started their preparations long before that.
The group also questioned the decision by the National Security Council (MKN) to prohibit stalls from being set up during the festival as it had allowed night markets, malls and farmers markets to operate.
Earlier today, five representatives from the 22 NGOs submitted a memorandum to the prime minister here, protesting against the SOPs which they claim were insensitive and made without much consultation.
They also urged the ban on kavadis to be lifted on Thaipusam day tomorrow.
The group claimed that besides being issued late, the SOPs were also confusing, with many devotees having already started their preparations for the celebration, which includes fasting.
Its spokesman, Arun Dorasamy, who is the president of Hindu Agamam Ani Malaysia, told FMT that the SOPs were inconsistent and problematic.
“The last-minute issuance of the SOPs is not acceptable and we reckon this is due to a failure in leadership.
“Without kavadis, there is no Thaipusam,” he said, adding that the SOPs issued for carrying paal kudam (milk pot) could also be used for kavadi bearers.
On Jan 13, national unity minister Halimah Sadique announced the Thaipusam SOPs which, among others, stipulated that only the paal kudam, prayer activities and chariot processions would be allowed while the carrying of kavadis was not permitted.
She said the SOPs were drawn up based on recommendations submitted by temple management committees as well as health risk assessments and measures to prevent Covid-19 transmission.
Yesterday, the Batu Caves Sri Subramaniar temple committee urged the government to urgently reconsider relaxing three conditions in the SOPs issued by the MKN.
They are allowing the temple to be open for 24 hours from the eve of Thaipusam till the next day, to allow one person to accompany elderly paal kudam bearers, and to allow minors to take part in prayers.
The temple committee’s chairman, R Nadarajah, told FMT that for children, parents have made vows to shave their heads bald or carry them in sugar-cane kavadis. These can only be fulfilled with the presence of the children.
SOPs for the Thaipusam festival will be in force from Jan 16-19, while SOPs on paal kudam apply from Jan 14-19. — Free Malaysia Today