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Proceed with the two-chariot procession with peace and harmony

I am extremely grateful to the kind gesture of the executive director of the Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB) in offering its hand of cooperation to the Nattukoddai Chettiar Sivan Temple to participate in the two chariots processions as decided at the joint meeting of the two parties organised and chaired by the police recently.

I am also thankful to PHEB commissioner Dr A Anbalagan for his pointing out my so-called ignorance on the necessity for Vel to precede the Chettiar’s chariot. I hope he is aware that Mohan Shan, president of the Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS) had already released a statement that the PHEB’s Golden Chariot is following procedure. I have never made any statement against it.

This was given wide publicity in the press especially the Tamil press.

Dr Anbalagan, my intention was to clear the misunderstanding between the parties concerned on the unnecessary arguments by many questioning or accusing each other on their historical past and on the colour of the chariot. I am now in Thiruchenthur and I saw a huge tent about the height of a double-storey-high building and viewed a giant-sized wooden chariot.

That is the reason why my opinion is ‘Gold or Silver is not the merit’. I have never intended to hurt PHEB’s feelings. At no time in my release of my statement did I say anything contradicting the decision arrived upon at the meeting with the Penang police on the order of the departure.

Anyway the statement by the executive director is most reassuring and this is an excellent opportunity to all the various parties including both managements, the various Hindu NGOs and the Penang Hindus in general to lay aside all their differences and work and cooperate with each other as per agreement at the meeting with the police.

The Chettiars should accept this offer of cooperation. Any special request for consideration should be discussed in an amicable way by both parties and settled on the basis of an agreement by consensus and this will be most appreciated.

I wish to appeal to all concerned to make the 2017 Thaipusam of two chariots in Penang a unique example of two great temples achieving an anticipated peace and harmony. The sacrifices made by all parties will be the offer of penance made with humble Divinity to Lord Muruga.


A VAITHILINGAM is former president, Malaysia Hindu Sangam and currently its adviser.

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