—

Watch the Live Streaming of Thaipusam 2015!

Thaipusam 2015

—

The Thaipusam incident: 3 men to be charged in court

The trio charged on Saturday are expected to return to court on March 6. Ramachandra Chandramohan, 32, faces the most charges, with seven charges against him including behaving in a disorderly manner and voluntarily causing hurt to a police officer. He was also ordered to surrender his passport.

Jaya Kumar Krishnasamy, 28, faces three charges, including voluntarily obstructing a police officer in the discharge of his public functions.

Gunasegaran Rajendran, 33, faces two charges, which include disorderly conduct with the deliberate intention to wound the religious feelings of a police officer.

http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/woman-accuses-police-hitting-or-pushing-her-thaipusam-incident

…

Watch the video of the commotion at the Thaipusam celebration on Dester Road:

—

http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/woman-accuses-police-hitting-or-pushing-her-thaipusam-incident

—

K Shanmugam Sc

Hindus – Privileged or Discriminated against?

3. Most people don’t realise, that in Singapore, all religious foot processions are banned. This ban was imposed in 1964, after riots.

4. But Hindus were given an exemption: Hindus have been allowed three religious foot processions: Thaipusam, Panguni Uthiram and Thimithi.

5. The Hindu religious foot processsions go through major roads. No other religion is given this privilege.

6. When other non-Hindu religious groups apply to hold foot processions, they are usually rejected. On rare occasions when it is given, stringent conditions will be imposed including much shorter routes, unlike Thaipusam which lasts the whole day and goes through major roads.

7. So the first point to note: only the Hindus are allowed such large religious foot processions.

Lion Dances/ Kompangs

8. What is the difference between Thaipusam (where music is not allowed during the foot procession) as opposed to Kompangs/ Lion Dances (with music being played in a public place)?

9. Lion dances, kompangs and other such celebrations are often held during social, community events. These are usually non-religious events. Likewise, at Hindu community events, musical instruments are also used – Nathaswaram, Melas. There are many such community celebrations: both on a national scale and in the local communities across Singapore. They are not religious foot processions. The ban on religious foot processions (as opposed to such communal/ social events) is because they carry a particular sensitivity – the risk of incidents is considered to be higher.

10. Likewise, singing, dancing at communal get-togethers by Singaporeans, foreigners are not affected by the general ban on religious foot processions.

11. While there is a general ban on religious foot processions, sometimes, permission may also be granted for religious events, with some music in a public place. It is unlikely that there would be a foot procession over a long route. And sometimes, at events such as the Kew Ong Yah Festival, there will be public gatherings in the different constituencies, playing of some music, but even then, the Police will generally not allow long foot processions.

What I have set out are the general rules – based on appeals, sometimes exceptions may be made, based on the specific facts. But the basic position is: as a rule, religious foot processions will not be allowed except for the 3 Hindu festivals.

12. So yes – as shown by social media, there are many events in public with music. But they are often not religious events. Sometimes, they are religious events – for which permission would have been obtained, as set out above.

13. So the Hindus are actually in a privileged position. There are many other religious groups which have asked to be allowed to hold foot processions. These appeals have generally been rejected.

14. I think even as Hindus ask for relaxation of the rules, we should know the true facts. And not misunderstand them.

15. With these facts, is there a case for allowing musical instruments to be played during the Thaipusam foot procession, in support of the kavadi carriers?

This is a matter that can be debated. There were incidents in the past which led to the tightening up. Whether the rules should be relaxed, and whether and under what conditions music should be allowed during the Thaipusam processions, is something HEB has to discuss with the agencies. HEB has relaxed the rules last year within the temple premises.

 https://www.facebook.com/notes/k-shanmugam-sc/thaipusam-lion-dances-kompangs-discrimination-against-hindus/829552680424597

—

http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/exercise-calm-and-restraint-over-thaipusam-incident-iswaran

—

Watch the video of the commotion at the Thaipusam celebration on Dester Road:

—

3 arrested and 3 police officers assaulted after total chaos at Thaipusam festival along Desker Rd

http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/singaporeseen/this-urban-jungle/screams-brawls-and-total-chaos-police-and-angry-crowd-clash-during-thaipusam#xtor=CS2-4

—

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/3-arrested-for-thaipusam/1636742.html?cid=TWTCNA

—

—

Ow! Thaipusam religious festival in Singapore’s Little India © Then Chih Wey/Alamy http://bit.ly/1x4ErLD 

…

Just a normal day walking around Singapore. #Thaipusam

—

#Thaipusam in Singapore

—

“@Devanmonkey: One of the best kavadi I have seen in Singapore thaipusam ”

…

Happy Thaipusam to all our Hindu friends! 5 facts about the Hindu festival: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-singapore-stories/story/thaipusam-be-held-feb-3-here-are-five-facts-about-the-hi … #thaipusam2015 #ST

…

We’re on pins and needles, ready to watch #Thaipusam again this year! #thingstodoinsg #thaipusam2015 #singapore #ouch

…

SINGAPORE-RELIGION-THAIPUSAM http://newzcard.com/card/qS3Pii/a-hindu-devotee-with-facial-piercings-carries-offerings-of-milk-along-a-procession-route-in-singapores(qS3Pii)?r=NewzLatest …

————————————————————————————————————-