A Hindu group is 'taken aback' by Kuala Lumpur City Hall's (DBKL) identification of 20 Hindu temples deemed to be 'in the way' of various development projects.

In its invitation to P Sivalingam - a priest of the Sri Siva Balakrisnar Muniswarar temple in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur - for a Feb 14 meeting at DBKL's headquarters, DBKL said the main agenda was the relocation or possible demolition of 20 temples.

The Muniswarar temple and 13 others located on Jalan Semarak are to make way for the Duta-Ulu Kelang (Duke) Highway and the clearance of squatter settlements, three on Jalan Puchong and Jalan Tun Sambanthan stand on sites targeted for housing development projects, with the remaining slated for demolition for various breaches of regulations.

Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) legal advisor P Uthayakumar said he was shocked by the disclosure.

"Why is this so when development goes around almost all Muslim places of worship? What about Articles 8 and 11 of the Federal Constitution pertaining to equality and religious freedom?" he asked when contacted.

While various representatives of local and federal government agencies, Hindu and Taoist associations, private developers, and the MIC were in attendance at the meeting, Uthayakumar said Sivalingam was advised not to go.

Black and white assurance

According to him, temple demolitions was not a matter for discussion as it was currently before the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

In a suit citing Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo and five other parties for contempt of court following the demolition of a century-old Hindu temple in Semenyih last December, Uthayakumar had applied for an injunction against any temple demolition until the case is disposed off.

The case is due to be heard on March 26.

Uthayakumar also said there is no point for Sivalingam to meet with DBKL officials unless they commit in writing to compensate the Muniswarar temple with another one-acre land not more than one kilometer away.

"We are prepared to settle the issue amicably, but there's no point to meeting unless DBKL is willing to give a commitment in black and white. So far, they've given nothing," he added.

Uthayakumar also lamented the authorities' indifference to Sivalingam's grievances with the construction that goes on unabated near and beside the Muniswarar temple despite the matter being currently before the High Court.

DBKL officials could not be reached for comment.