I refer to the letter Hindu Temples: MIC 'all talk no action'. The Hindus have been brought up to accept religious tolerance, freedom to worship in the way they are comfortable with and respect for all religions on earth.

Temples were used as community centers for activities like weddings, meetings, religious classes, classical dances, tuition and many others. These temples were built in the estates and towns on the lands owned by the respective employers of the Indians then. But when the estates were sold and the town land taken for development, the formerly legally-built temples became 'illegal' because the new owners refused to acknowledge their existence.

The local government act says that a minimum area of 10,000 square feet is to be approved for new and relocated temples, but this is not granted either. The temples have been there longer than any of the government authorities. It is asking too much to have a proper place to do worship and to have the youths guided along the religious line rather than having them involved in gangsterism, robbery and other illegal activities?

The Indians are being pushed around with no solutions in view and though I must say that politicking among them is also one of the root cause. Added to the insult, the local district land offices, municipal councils and land developers dilly-dally on their approval and then suddenly with the help of police, they destroy the temples without proper notices given to the right person. or the temple management.

You will be surprised to know that the demolition notice would be addressed to someone not related to the temple at all.

The irony of the whole issue is that this matter of demolishing the temples would have been discussed at the local district or municipal council meeting but no councillor had the guts to inform the temple management to act immediately in finding a solution. Worse, when the temples are demolished, politicians take the opportunity to demonstrate against the local council and in some case, against the temple management, in order to deceive the public.

The nightmare begins when devotees seek for help only to be asked from which political camp they come from. Mind you, the question is confined to camps within the BN coalition!

The Indian Malaysians need to take action in deciding their priorities and make sure they are heard in one voice for the betterment of the community and in order to progress further. We have to ensure that we are not pushed around and become contented with news and movies from India. Entertainment by our local singers and politicians shouldn't count.

It is time now that the managements of Hindu temples take in their own hands the responsibility of having the temples registered (though even registered temples have been demolished). Have a proper commitment and if possible, appeal to the sultan of your state with relevant documents through the Malaysian Hindu Sangam body. You can see the difference happening
immediately. We shouldn't forget the guidance of the state ruler.