It was a usual morning for the temple gurukkal, the assistant, the devotees and the kindergarten students until few uncivilized humans with thier boots on and with hammers and axes stepped into the temple after demolishing the surrounding houses. What really happened? An inside of the temple terrorism.
Padang Jawa, Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, was headed by demised former Exco member of Selangor state and was managed by the temple committee and the priest – Siva Sri N.Ramalingam Gurukkal.
It is true that a court order released on 2005 but it was then brought to the attention of the developer and discussion was successfully concluded not to demolish the temple until a land is given and deities are moved to the new temple. The developer has allocated a portion of land for the temple, but the land was not prepared yet by the developer. How and where to move without a land is shown and given? The housing area behind the temple is being cleared out and the houses are being relocated. We are aware that the houses being demolished but NOT the temple. To be safe, Selangor state and Exco authorities were met and with the developer’s consent, it was decided and promised that the temple will not be demolished. Not a single notice was given to the temple other than the one that given on 2005.
All of a sudden, on early morning of 30th October 2007, the so called authorities (MBSA) came into the temple with hammers and axes with their shoes ON without a respect to the prayers going on at the temple. (went into the inside deities’ place (karuvarai)). They were forcefully stopped. Notice / court order was asked to be shown, but they can’t produce any. They only kept on repeating that the superior (Selangor MB) ordered to demolish the temple. The man in blue (MBSA) informed that the decision was made late night on 29th October 2007. They refused to hear any of the temple committee’s argument. Finally after a long talk (almost like begging), they decided to give time until 2pm to remove the deities. They immediately went to demolish the kindergarten which belongs to the temple (Classes were going on at that time, the kids were rushed out from kindergarten). The kindergarten was demolished with all valuable belongings of the temple and kindergarten.
At 2pm sharp the so called BATTALION of MBSA, RELA, FRU, POLICE ( the situation was like a war zone ). Our Indian crowd gathered in front of the battalion. Hindraf and their lawyers, independent lawyers, some MIC reps tried to talk to them. Nothing could stop them. MBSA informed NO ONE could stop this as this is direct order from Selangor MB and Datuk Bandar.
At 4 pm, they moved aggressively into the temple. This was when the free for all started. Exchange of stone throwing between the public and the force (peaceful priests and public was inside the temple) ended up in tensed situation. It was shocking to see the MBSA enforcement personnel retaliated back with the stones. The scene was like racial tension. At the end, the force overpowered our Indian brothers/sisters with the tear gasses, water jets, batons and with guns.
Datuk Seri came to the scene too late at about 5 pm after part of the temple already demolished. He informed nothing could be done. The Selangor MB is not listening to him. The situation became even tensed then. Datuk Seri was rushed off back. Now, this has become a National issue. It has sparked a flame in every Hindu in this country that realized this fracas. Indians humiliated with this incident.
Is this the fate Indians even though a lot of NGO’s and the public protesting against Indian community discrimination? The date 30th Oct 2007 has changed entirely the normal life routine of Hindus in the area. Some innocent members of the public and a temple committee were arrested. If this is happening to Padang Jawa Indians, it’s not very far away to other places as well. There’s no say for our leaders. No respect for our belief, our faith and our rights!
This event had made a huge impact in my life. The temple where I grew up as a child has played an important role in my life. It was the base for my education, religious thoughts, social responsibility, and was the base for my intellectual growth. This temple has given me vast memories and knowledge. It will remain silent within me.
What am I going to do for this temple and the people? I’m still finding for an answer for the question which I’m asking myself everyday. The guiltiness of inability to save the temple from being demolished haunts me everyday. I really salute the bravery of Indians who fought with the authorities to defend the temple although it failed at last. I dedicate this blog to my beloved father (Siva Sri Ramalingam Gurukkal), the lovely temple, and the brave Indians (Hindraf, lawyers, civilians who stood up against the fanatic barbarians who demolished the temple).
Anbe Sivam!
Padang Jawa, Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, was headed by demised former Exco member of Selangor state and was managed by the temple committee and the priest – Siva Sri N.Ramalingam Gurukkal.
It is true that a court order released on 2005 but it was then brought to the attention of the developer and discussion was successfully concluded not to demolish the temple until a land is given and deities are moved to the new temple. The developer has allocated a portion of land for the temple, but the land was not prepared yet by the developer. How and where to move without a land is shown and given? The housing area behind the temple is being cleared out and the houses are being relocated. We are aware that the houses being demolished but NOT the temple. To be safe, Selangor state and Exco authorities were met and with the developer’s consent, it was decided and promised that the temple will not be demolished. Not a single notice was given to the temple other than the one that given on 2005.
All of a sudden, on early morning of 30th October 2007, the so called authorities (MBSA) came into the temple with hammers and axes with their shoes ON without a respect to the prayers going on at the temple. (went into the inside deities’ place (karuvarai)). They were forcefully stopped. Notice / court order was asked to be shown, but they can’t produce any. They only kept on repeating that the superior (Selangor MB) ordered to demolish the temple. The man in blue (MBSA) informed that the decision was made late night on 29th October 2007. They refused to hear any of the temple committee’s argument. Finally after a long talk (almost like begging), they decided to give time until 2pm to remove the deities. They immediately went to demolish the kindergarten which belongs to the temple (Classes were going on at that time, the kids were rushed out from kindergarten). The kindergarten was demolished with all valuable belongings of the temple and kindergarten.
At 2pm sharp the so called BATTALION of MBSA, RELA, FRU, POLICE ( the situation was like a war zone ). Our Indian crowd gathered in front of the battalion. Hindraf and their lawyers, independent lawyers, some MIC reps tried to talk to them. Nothing could stop them. MBSA informed NO ONE could stop this as this is direct order from Selangor MB and Datuk Bandar.
At 4 pm, they moved aggressively into the temple. This was when the free for all started. Exchange of stone throwing between the public and the force (peaceful priests and public was inside the temple) ended up in tensed situation. It was shocking to see the MBSA enforcement personnel retaliated back with the stones. The scene was like racial tension. At the end, the force overpowered our Indian brothers/sisters with the tear gasses, water jets, batons and with guns.
Datuk Seri came to the scene too late at about 5 pm after part of the temple already demolished. He informed nothing could be done. The Selangor MB is not listening to him. The situation became even tensed then. Datuk Seri was rushed off back. Now, this has become a National issue. It has sparked a flame in every Hindu in this country that realized this fracas. Indians humiliated with this incident.
Is this the fate Indians even though a lot of NGO’s and the public protesting against Indian community discrimination? The date 30th Oct 2007 has changed entirely the normal life routine of Hindus in the area. Some innocent members of the public and a temple committee were arrested. If this is happening to Padang Jawa Indians, it’s not very far away to other places as well. There’s no say for our leaders. No respect for our belief, our faith and our rights!
This event had made a huge impact in my life. The temple where I grew up as a child has played an important role in my life. It was the base for my education, religious thoughts, social responsibility, and was the base for my intellectual growth. This temple has given me vast memories and knowledge. It will remain silent within me.
What am I going to do for this temple and the people? I’m still finding for an answer for the question which I’m asking myself everyday. The guiltiness of inability to save the temple from being demolished haunts me everyday. I really salute the bravery of Indians who fought with the authorities to defend the temple although it failed at last. I dedicate this blog to my beloved father (Siva Sri Ramalingam Gurukkal), the lovely temple, and the brave Indians (Hindraf, lawyers, civilians who stood up against the fanatic barbarians who demolished the temple).
Anbe Sivam!
5 comments:
Welcome to blogging! It's great to see you carry the torch and tell the people the truth about the temple. Keep up the good work.
welcome to blogging :)
kepe up the good work. thkx for the pics n story of the temple.
valgzha samuthayam
www.BMahendran.com
bring it out man... we all need to know where we stand in this awfull country n those inmates....
suren
It is indeed a sad moment for the community. However we should realise that we are living in an "apartheid" kind of system. I realised we were trampled, ignored deemed irrelevant, sabotaged and humiliated since mid 1980s till now. Clear examples of discrimination happens in school, at primary level, it poisons our young generations mind. Why are we not in sporting activities now? Have we lost our competetiveness? NO, it's clear sabotage at all levels.
We have been surviving without BN or MIC's help. and I wish we will continue to survive and prosper without handouts from the government. We need to unite, that's what lacking in our society.
Help our ourselves to prosper in education, business and all fields with global recognition(forget national accoloade; it will never come).
About voting: it doesn't make our life any easier if BN or opposition were to rule. All these while BN had been forming the government and our status has been dwindling and now at crisis level. My suggestion cast your vote for opposition! Teach BN a lesson. After all it will still won't make any difference to us if the opposition were to rule.
well said my fren... !!!
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