Winner I’m unsure, losers I know who

A new organization for the Hindus in this country has been formed and it is called the Malaysian Hindu Assembly (Malaysia Hindu Peravai).

Led by temple Nadarajah, this is obviously an attempt to rival the long established Malaysian Hindu Sangam (MHS).

This new body claims it wants to unite the Hindus in this country and fight to protect their rights, starting with the temples and culture.

Isn’t this what the MHS has been doing thus far?

Anyways, as I see it, the issue is this. In the recent past, MHS has been aligning itself with the increasingly vocal civil society groups in demanding for reforms in this country.

The MHS, led by Vythilingam, has been vocal in matters of conversion and religious freedom.

Its only drawback, as I see it, has been its approval of the demolition of unregistered temples. But even then, there have been cases when MHS has called for more tolerant approach when dealing with temple demolitions.

Wanting to be different, Nadarajah, who is also the head of the KL Maha Mariamman and Batu Caves temples, vows to protect all temples and turn them into cultural centres.

I am fine with that. I am just worried that there is a political motive behind the setting up of this new organization, which is affiliated by MIC-backing groups and individuals.

One thing is clear, the Nadarajah-led Malaysia Hindu Assembly smells of being a MIC proxy to counter the noise made by MHS in issues related to the Indian community in this country.

I want to see who actually wins this battle? The losers surely must be the Hindu lot!