Hindu symbol desecration: Tamim claims ignorance, activist says it was clearly a temple site

Self-described land activist Tamim Dahri Abdul Razak has claimed ignorance over allegations that he had desecrated a Hindu symbol.

Taking to Facebook last night, he claimed to have thought that the object he was filmed stepping on was just a rusty piece of metal in an unoccupied land clearing.

However, an Indian community activist disputed his assertions.

According to Tamim, the incident took place in Langkawi, during his visit a few days ago to relieve work stress.

"I rented a car and drove around the island. Until I reached a place near the caves, I stopped to visit.

"The place was full of wild monkeys, which I fed. At the same time, I saw a sharp steel rod. It didn't cross my mind that it was a religious symbol, considering it was just a rusty, sharp piece of metal.

"It was not a place of worship; there was no building and the surrounding area was a clearing," he said.

He added that removing dangerous objects from a patch was an act of charity.

Tamim also attached an image from Indian rights activist Arun Dorasamy showing a plain three-pronged metal rod - which Hindu groups said was a sacred trident or soolam - and compared it to a more intricate version of the sacred object.

In the video, Tamim himself posted stepping on the object, he had put a caption saying it was a "leisure activity" (aktiviti masa lapang).

Activist rebuffs Tamim

In a separate Facebook video, Indian community activist Umagandhan Krishnan disputed Tamim's version of events.

He said that the soolam was part of the Langkawi Shree Muniswarar Alayam temple, which he claimed sits with permission on private land owned by an automotive company.

He said there is even a large signboard that states it is temple land.

He explained that the area where the desecrated soolam was located was not a major ritual site, but that Hindus do light oil lamps at the trident.

Reports lodged

Tamim has been a vocal proponent for the removal of unauthorised Hindu temples in the country.

Last month, he was among four individuals arrested for damaging one such temple in Rawang.

Various police reports have been lodged against him over the alleged soolam desecration incident.

It comes just a week after an uproar from Muslims over the desecration of a Quran by a 21-year-old student - which led to swift charges.

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