The Hindu Sangam is willing to meet residents of Shah Alam’s Section 23 but not the protesters to thrash out matters surrounding the relocation of a 150-year-old temple to their neighbourhood.

A Vaithilingam, advisor to the religion’s national umbrella body said this after an hour-long meeting at the secretariat today with state exco Dr Xavier Jayakumar and the menteri besar’s political secretary Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad over the ‘cow-head’ protest as well as the temple relocation.

“We don’t mind meeting any (one), but not to go and meet the protesters, especially the ones who have insulted the religion (by) carrying the cow’s head.

mccbchst religious society conversion pc 220409 vaithilingam “And seeing the picture of them sitting next to the (Home) minister (Hishammuddin Hussein) was indeed shocking,” said Vaithilingam (right ), adding that he is, however, “happy that the minister said the police will be taking action”.

Though the minister has said that the police will take action against them, he cannot see himself shaking hands with the protesters.

“They have not even apologised and said anything different.”

He added that directly or indirectly they touched on a racial and religious issue.

“The cow is a sacred animal for us and they have insulted us,” said Vaithilingam, a former president of the organisation.

He demanded an apology from the protesters but was quick to add “that does not mean action should not be taken against them.”

A point of interest is that Friday is a holy day for Hindus too.

Meanwhile, the president S Mohan urged the Hindus to remain calm.

“But as a minority, we still need to be respected and should be given a place of worship,” he said.

Hindu Sangam never consulted

azlan According to Vaithilingam, the Section 23 residents have never discussed or raised objection to the temple relocation with Hindu Sangam, yet some of them went to the state secretariat to protest.

“Although it is a democratic right to protest, we do not want them to insult other religions,” he said.

He also reiterated that some of the residents did not meet them but met another body with a similar sounding name.

The organisation, said Vaithilingam, is called ‘Hindu Sevai Sangam’ and is a social services body, not a national organistion.

“It is also a religious-based body and registered about five years ago...and they are affiliated members of the Hindu Sangam”, he said, adding that he has no problem with them meeting the residents in the first place.

He also said that they are happy with today’s meeting with Pakatan Rakyat leaders, describing it as “a beginning of something”.

But the final decision (on the temple relocation) has to be in hands of the state government and the temple.

“We’ll just try to smoothen things out,” said Vaithilingam.