The Nattukottai Nagarather Chettiar Trustees (NNCT) should sit down with the Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB) to resolve the timing of the two chariots without much delay so that the Hindu public would be able to plan their activities during the Thaipusam.
In yesterday’s meeting with the police, the two parties were advised to resolve the timing of the two respective chariots before the police could make other security and traffic-related arrangements.
The role of the police is understandable, as they would not want to interfere on matters of Hindu religion. Similarly we expect other parties also to show some refrain when dealing with Hindu religious matters.
The PHEB strongly believes if the NNCT representatives have the right attitude and the willingness to give and take, the matter of the timing of the chariots could be resolve in the next few days.
It should also be remembered that PHEB is not another organisation; it is the principal body that is in charge of organising Thaipusam. All matters related to Thaipusam are within the purview of the PHEB.
Although the timing of the chariot was resolved in the earlier two meetings, one with the police and later in state Thaipusam Committee, the NNCT wants changes for reasons best known to themselves.
The PHEB is not against changes, however, both the parties must bilaterally agree such changes. This is what we have told the police and the Penang state government.
Any unilateral moves to alter the rules regarding the timing cannot be accepted and the PHEB will oppose them vehemently.
Let some good sense and rationality prevail in the next few days so that this matter of the timing could be put behind us so that we could concentrate fully on Thaipusam.
Thaipusam is all about worshipping Lord Muruga.
MUTHIAH RAMACHANDRAN is executive director, Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB).