November 30, 2012
SEPANG: The Sepang Municipal Council's (MPSP) demolition of a Hindu altar in a house in Taman Seroja in Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi last week has caused an uproar in the Indian community.
A MPSP officer demolishing the altar at Gopi's house in Sepang.
November 30, 2012
SEPANG: The Sepang Municipal Council's (MPSP) demolition of a Hindu altar in a house in Taman Seroja in Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi last week has caused an uproar in the Indian community.
A MPSP officer demolishing the altar at Gopi's house in Sepang.
The MIC and several Indian groups are demanding an explanation from the council and the Selangor Government for the high-handed action.
MIC Youth secretary C. Sivarraajh said 30 enforcement officers from the council went to the house on Nov 20 and demolished the altar, which was erected within the gated compound.
House owner Umah Devi, 35, said she received a notice from the council to demolish it on grounds that the structure was allegedly in violation of council bylaws.
“My husband went to the council to appeal and was told it would be considered. But we received another notice stating that we would have to pay a RM250 daily fine if we did not tear it down,” she said.
“The officers arrived without notice. We tried to negotiate with them but they went ahead and demolished it,” she said.
Indian Athma Sakthi Association president and founder M. Vasantha Kumar @ Vasan, said it was common for Hindus and Chinese to have altars.
“This action clearly shows that the Selangor Government, of which PAS is a part of, is not tolerant towards Hindu culture. Does this mean that under the Pakatan Rakyat, the Hindus, Buddhist and Taoists cannot have altars at home?” he asked.
State executive councillor Dr Xavier Jeyakumar said local councils had the right to take action against illegal structures built inside or outside a house, adding that the state government could not interfere without a valid reason.
“If the affected party lodges a complaint, we will look into it,” he said in statement to Tamil newspapers.
He said the altar could not be construed as a religious place as there had been no prayers or ceremonies held there.
Sivarraajh described Dr Xavier's response as “nonsense” as the altar was built for a religious purpose.
“Is he saying that those who erect altars inside their homes have contravened laws?” he asked.
He said Pakatan had promised that it would not demolish any religious place when it came to power in 2009 but since then, seven temples had been torn down.
Courtesy: thestar
