Hindus upset over board’s interference in procession

GEORGE TOWN: The Hindus in Penang are unhappy with the Penang Hindu Endowment Board’s interference in the organising of the silver chariot procession on Thaipusam eve.
Hindu Action Network chairman G. Mugunthan said yesterday that from the public feedback he received, the Hindus were “disturbed and uncomfortable” with the board’s interference in the running of the procession by the Nattukotai Chettiar Temple trustees.
“The Chettiar community has been doing a fine job organising the procession for over 100 years in a professional way,” he said.
United Hindu Religious Council deputy president A.K. Suppayah, who was the board’s assistant secretary for 21 years, claimed that the board did not have the locus standi to interfere.
“What powers does the board have to encroach into the affairs of the trustees?” he asked.
He said the chariot procession was the prerogative of the Chettiar community here “because it is their own function.”
It was reported yesterday that the organisers of the Thaipusam procession would meet Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng over a proposal that the silver chariot make a stop at the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Queen Street on Feb 7.