Batu Caves temple committee chairman warns groups against 'moral policing'

PETALING JAYA: The Batu Caves temple committee has warned other parties against "moral policing" during the Thaipusam celebrations on Feb 9.
Sri Maha Mariamman Temple Devasthanam chairman Tan Sri R. Nadarajah said the temple committee, through its task force, will strictly monitor the activities of Hindu devotees and visitors throughout the festival.
"There is a dress code to be observed for both men and women during the festival. We want them to follow it but we will not force them.
"For those who we find disregarding the dress code, we will inform them discreetly and very nicely. Hopefully the festival can be conducted peacefully," he told theSun when contacted, today.
Commenting on a Facebook group "Thaipusam Spraying Group" that recently had warned Hindu women against being "inappropriately dressed" or risk being sprayed with aerosol paint during Thaipusam, Nadarajah said the committee will neither support nor condone such behaviour from any party.
"No group whether on Facebook or any platform should be threatening others especially women on how they dress. We will reach out to the authorities should we spot anyone attempting to carry out such threats," he added.
MIC Wanita chief Datuk Mohana Muniandy said the party will not condone such actions.
"We have been advising women to dress appropriately during religious festivals and temple visits through our campaigns.
"As such what is the group's motive in carrying out 'moral policing' on women?" she asked.
She added the party will be lodging a police report against the Facebook group soon.
Their comments came after Thaipusam Spraying Group through its page creator, Henry Barnabas, warned in its posting: "Advance warning to Hindu female patrons coming to Thaipusam festival, beware of being sprayed with aerosol paint if found inappropriate dressed...".
Postings by the Facebook group which had pictures showing the backs of women wearing designer saree blouses have since gone viral and earned criticisms from netizens.
Facebook user Darell Nonis said: "... mentioning about splashing those indecently-dressed women with paint is completely way over the line! First of all, you have no control on telling them what to wear because it is their choice."
Since its initial public posting, the page settings have since been set to private.
On his personal Facebook page, however, Barnabas, a former jockey according to his Facebook description, called on the people to share their knowledge on the meaning of Thaipusam, saying people should be aware as to why rituals and cultures have to be protected.
Meanwhile, Gombak police chief ACP Ali Ahmad said they had received information about this from the Thaipusam task force coordinator.
"We have told them to make a police report," Ali told theSun.
He said once the report is made, the police will start investigations and be on alert to stop this from happening.