PUTRAJAYA – Following the eleventh-hour cancellation of the iconic kavadi processions for the Thaipusam festival tomorrow, 22 non-governmental organisations are making a last-minute plea to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to lift the ban.
Hindu Agamam Ani Malaysia president Arun Dorasamy said it is illogical for the government to prohibit kavadi processions but allow the carrying of paal kudam (milk pots) as both rituals are almost identical.
He also said that it is unjust for the government to place the ban just four days before the celebration, as thousands of kavadi bearers and devotees have spent the last 48 days fasting in preparation for the ritual.
“For those who are unfamiliar with Thaipusam, devotees have to go through fasting for 48 days and would have started preparing for the celebration.
“It’s unfair that you are releasing SOPs (standard operating procedures) just four days before Thaipusam. Without kavadi, there is no thaipusam.
“If there is one important ritual for Lord Murugan, it is the kavadi.”
Arun said this at a press conference after handing over a memorandum to a representative from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) here.
He called on Ismail Sabri to intervene and allow devotees to fulfil their religious obligations.
“From the get-go, we have always been worried about (National Unity Minister) Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique’s leadership in handling this matter.
“Why can’t we have more creative SOPs which will allow Hindus to fulfil their religious obligation and at the same time, we can safeguard ourselves and our country from the Omicron variant?
“I think it’s time for the prime minister to step in and do the right thing – lift the ban on kavadi processions,” he stressed.
Thaipusam is the second biggest festival for Hindus in Malaysia after Deepavali. – The Vibes, January 17, 2022
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