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Hindus have privilege not given to other faiths, says Shanmugam

SINGAPORE — Far from being discriminated against, Hindus here are given a special privilege not enjoyed by others, Law and Foreign Affairs Minister K Shanmugam said yesterday, in response to Internet chatter on the arrests made by the police — after its officers were assaulted and on the receiving end of vulgarities — during the Thaipusam procession earlier this week.

Mr Shanmugam noted that all religious processions on foot have been banned since 1964. However, the Hindus are allowed three processions that go through major roads. Photo: Don Wong

Mr Shanmugam noted that all religious processions on foot have been banned since 1964. However, the Hindus are allowed three processions that go through major roads. Photo: Don Wong

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SINGAPORE — Far from being discriminated against, Hindus here are given a special privilege not enjoyed by others, Law and Foreign Affairs Minister K Shanmugam said yesterday, in response to Internet chatter on the arrests made by the police — after its officers were assaulted and on the receiving end of vulgarities — during the Thaipusam procession earlier this week.

Beyond the issues relating to Thaipusam, Mr Shanmugam stressed that gratuitous attacks on the police cannot be allowed and should not be tolerated. The officers were trying to do their job, he said. One of the three men arrested assaulted the police officers and all of them used vulgarities, said Mr Shanmugam, noting that the injured officer had to be treated at the hospital. “It is quite unacceptable for the police to be physically assaulted or ill-treated. We cannot allow them to be demeaned, assaulted,” he said.

On Wednesday, police officers were called in after Thaipusam organisers requested in vain that a group of people stop playing drums — an act that contravened the conditions of the police permit for the event. The police arrested three men, aged 33, 32 and 28, following a scuffle.

A video clip of the incident went viral online, and some members of the public have questioned the behaviour of the police officers, while others revisited the issue of why musical instruments are not allowed to be played during the procession.

In a lengthy Facebook post, Mr Shanmugam noted that there had been “many questions on Thaipusam and the playing of musical instruments”. While these are fair questions, they arose from a misunderstanding of the rules, he said.

“The truth is that Hindus are not discriminated against. In fact, they have been given a special privilege not enjoyed by others,” he added.

Since 1964, after the communal riots here, all religious processions on foot have been banned. However, Hindus were given an exemption: They have been allowed three religious foot processions: Thaipusam, Panguni Uthiram and Thimithi, Mr Shanmugam pointed out.

“The Hindu religious foot processions go through major roads. No other religion is given this privilege,” he said, adding that applications by other non-Hindu religious groups to hold foot processions are usually rejected. “On rare occasions when (approval) is given, stringent conditions will be imposed including much shorter routes, unlike Thaipusam which lasts the whole day and goes through major roads,” he added.

Mr Shanmugam also reiterated the difference between the playing of musical instruments during the Thaipusam foot procession and during other non-religious events. “Lion dances, (playing of) kompangs and other such celebrations are often held during social, community events ... Likewise, at Hindu community events, musical instruments are also used,” he said.

“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 ... is because they carry a particular sensitivity — the risk of incidents is considered to be higher.”

He added: “Likewise, singing, dancing at communal get-togethers by Singaporeans, foreigners are not affected by the general ban on (playing musical instruments during) religious foot processions.”

Mr Shanmugam said sometimes, permission may also be granted for religious events with some music in a public place but in these instances, it is unlikely that there would be a foot procession over a long route. “What I have set out are the general rules — based on appeals, sometimes exceptions may be made, based on the specific facts,” he said. “But the basic position is: As a rule, religious foot processions will not be allowed except for the three Hindu festivals.”

He added: “Even as Hindus ask for relaxation of the rules, we should know the true facts. And not misunderstand them.”

Mr Shanmugam said the issue of allowing musical instruments to be played during the Thaipusam foot procession in support of the kavadi carriers 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 the Hindu Endowments Board (HEB) has to discuss with the agencies. The HEB has relaxed the rules last year within the temple premises.”

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