Two distinct issues stood out in the protest against the relocation and building of an Indian temple in Section 23 Shah Alam.

Let us examine the two issues.

First, bringing the severed head of a cow, an animal sacred to Hindus, then stomping and spitting on it, was undeniably calculated to insult the Hindus and their religion.

It was very fortunate that the Hindus in Malaysia reacted with a level head for the sake of peace and harmony in the country.

They probably considered the insult as hot air spewed by a small group of irrational, unreasonable and misguided Muslims, and had opted not to retaliate.

For that I salute the religious maturity of the Hindu community in Malaysia.

The second issue, however, is entirely different. It is a chilling threat of bloodshed.

Section 23 action committee deputy chair Ibrahim Sabri said: "If there is blood, you (the state government) will be responsible if you are adamant about building the temple."

In my view, the threat of bloodshed is very sinister and frightening, far more dangerous than the act of stomping and spitting on the cow's head.

And yet most commentators ignored this life threatening issue, including the Home Minister, Wong Chun Wai of the Star ( Use your head, not your heart ), and Kee Tuan Chye ( Holy cow! Minister defends protestors ).

The impression I get is that hurting the religious sensitivities of Hindus takes precedence over the threat of bloodshed. I wonder whether at the end of it all, for insulting Hindus, a slap on the wrist would do.