Thaipusam SOPs merely recommendations, says Batu Caves temple committee

KUALA LUMPUR – The standard operating procedures (SOPs) proposed by the Batu Caves temple committee were merely what measures the temple would take, if the government allowed temple celebrations to continue for Thaipusam next year.

“Whatever was said by Tan Sri R. Nadarajah is only our proposals to the government. If they allow temple celebrations, we are just saying this is what we will do,” said temple committee secretary C. Sethupathy when contacted. 

He further emphasised that the temple committee will still follow the National Security Council’s (NSC) rulings. 

Sethupathy was commenting on this after the SOPs went viral recently, further clarifying that they were merely recommendations to the government if the celebrations would be allowed to go ahead.

Among the SOPs listed was the non-stop journey of the chariot procession from the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple to Batu Caves with no commercial stalls allowed along the way. 

As for whether devotees without chariots, kavadis or milk pots are allowed to enter into Batu Caves, Sethupathy said: “If they have no reason to go up, we won’t let them in. But if they are doing prayers, they can go up.”

Whether such a move would sit well with Hindu devotees, he says that the temple committee wants to discourage people from gathering in large groups.

“It is the responsibility of the individual. If they don’t like what we are doing, they should not come. The situation is not conducive to have celebrations on a large scale,” he added. 

Meanwhile, when asked about the SOPs recommended by Nadarajah, a spokesperson from the Selayang Municipal Council said they would only follow directives from the state government or NSC. 

Meanwhile, Hindu devotees seem to think that the SOPs proposed could be a little stricter. 

Postgraduate student Kathiressan Jeyaraman, suggested that chariot processions should be scrapped. 

“I would say allowing the chariot procession is a bad idea. This is because along the way anyone can join in, and we won’t know who they are and whether they are infected with Covid-19,” Kathiressan told The Vibes. 

Another suggestion by Nadarajah includes only two persons being allowed to accompany those carrying kavadis and milk pots, however, Kathiressan recommends that only participants be permitted in the temple.

“If you cannot do it alone, it’s okay. You still can give prayers to God. In fact, along the way there are usually paramedics available to help just in case,” he added. 

Meanwhile, Matdura Sivakumar backed Nadarajah’s proposals. 

“I think the proposal is good because Thaipusam is not something we are obligated to do every year. It’s a very personal spiritual matter,” she said. 

She added that prayers could be done in any temple, and for now, people should refrain from attending en masse. 

Yesterday, Senior Security Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri announced the prohibition of mass gatherings for New Year celebrations in light of rising Covid-19 cases. 

Meanwhile, on December 22, Penang Hindu Endowment Board chairman Dr P. Ramasamy, recommended cancelling Thaipusam chariot processions in Penang. 

Nevertheless, for religious festivals, the NSC has allowed devotees to attend prayers at houses of worship. During Deepavali, Hindus were allowed to visit temples during the first day of celebrations, while Christians were also allowed to attend mass during Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. – The Vibes, December 29, 2020