Spiteful SMS target Penang Chettiar head
Athi VeerangganPublished: Jan 19, 2009 4:27 PM | Updated: Jan 19, 2009 4:34 PM
The running dispute over the Thaipusam procession route in Penang has turned ugly, with the circulation of text-messages that question the credibility of the main stakeholder - the Nagarathar Nattukottai Chettiar community.
The running dispute over the Thaipusam procession route in Penang has turned ugly, with the circulation of text-messages that question the credibility of the main stakeholder - the Nagarathar Nattukottai Chettiar community.
The text-messages accuse the Chettiars of betraying the estimated 180,000 Hindus in Penang and specifically target Chettiar trust fund president N Ramanathan (right).
Detractors even called on Hindus to boycott Ramanathan’s two restaurants - Karraikudi and Woodlands - located in Little India in George Town, to register their anger. However, he was unperturbed when contacted for comment.
Also named are Hindu Action Network chief coordinator G Mugunthan (left), United Hindu Religious Council secretary K Balakrishnan, Penang Makkal Sakti Welfare Association chairperson G Asoghan and Penang Hindu Endowment Board former assistant secretary AK Suppayah.
One SMS circulated last week alleged that it amounted to ‘betrayal’ for the Chettiars not to agree to the re-routing of the silver chariot procession this year to pass the heritage Maha Mariamman Kovil in Lebuh Queen on the first day of the festival.
A second message condemned Mugunthan, Balakrishnan, Asoghan and Suppayah, claiming that they had been ‘bribed’ by the Chettiars.
The four were also accused of attacking the board out of frustration of being overlooked in the appointment of its commissioners and of local councillors by the Pakatan Rakyat state government.
‘Stupid tales’ dismissed
Mugunthan, when contacted, rubbished the allegations as “stupid tattle tales by circus clowns” and insisted that he and the other three community leaders have never sought positions in the state government.
"Indeed when we met the deputy chief minister (P Ramasamy, left) last year to discuss board affairs, we specifically told him that we do not want any positions,” he said.
Another strongly-worded SMS sent out yesterday calling on Penang Hindus to unite against the Chettiars and to conduct their own chariot procession.
Chettiar trust fund secretary Dr A Narayanan (right) described the text-messages as “uncalled for” and said many Hindus still back the Chettiars to organise the observances over the three days devoted to Thaipusam.
Mugunthan, Balakrishnan, Asoghan, Suppayah and even Hindu Rights Action Force London-based leader P Waythamoorthy have previously rapped the board for interfering in Hindu affairs.
The board is statutory of trustees entrusted to safeguard Hindu endowments, while the Chettiars form a economically vibrant Tamil Hindu sub-community famous for temple building and management.
The text-messages accuse the Chettiars of betraying the estimated 180,000 Hindus in Penang and specifically target Chettiar trust fund president N Ramanathan (right).Detractors even called on Hindus to boycott Ramanathan’s two restaurants - Karraikudi and Woodlands - located in Little India in George Town, to register their anger. However, he was unperturbed when contacted for comment.
Also named are Hindu Action Network chief coordinator G Mugunthan (left), United Hindu Religious Council secretary K Balakrishnan, Penang Makkal Sakti Welfare Association chairperson G Asoghan and Penang Hindu Endowment Board former assistant secretary AK Suppayah.One SMS circulated last week alleged that it amounted to ‘betrayal’ for the Chettiars not to agree to the re-routing of the silver chariot procession this year to pass the heritage Maha Mariamman Kovil in Lebuh Queen on the first day of the festival.
A second message condemned Mugunthan, Balakrishnan, Asoghan and Suppayah, claiming that they had been ‘bribed’ by the Chettiars.
The four were also accused of attacking the board out of frustration of being overlooked in the appointment of its commissioners and of local councillors by the Pakatan Rakyat state government.
‘Stupid tales’ dismissed
Mugunthan, when contacted, rubbished the allegations as “stupid tattle tales by circus clowns” and insisted that he and the other three community leaders have never sought positions in the state government.
"Indeed when we met the deputy chief minister (P Ramasamy, left) last year to discuss board affairs, we specifically told him that we do not want any positions,” he said.Another strongly-worded SMS sent out yesterday calling on Penang Hindus to unite against the Chettiars and to conduct their own chariot procession.
Chettiar trust fund secretary Dr A Narayanan (right) described the text-messages as “uncalled for” and said many Hindus still back the Chettiars to organise the observances over the three days devoted to Thaipusam.Mugunthan, Balakrishnan, Asoghan, Suppayah and even Hindu Rights Action Force London-based leader P Waythamoorthy have previously rapped the board for interfering in Hindu affairs.
The board is statutory of trustees entrusted to safeguard Hindu endowments, while the Chettiars form a economically vibrant Tamil Hindu sub-community famous for temple building and management.
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